James Arthur Harris

James Arthur Harris passed away March 31, 2023. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late Mr. Harris and Sue Ella Coleman on December 18, 1937. At an early age he committed to Christ and remained an active member at Duncan United Methodist Church for many years.

He is our beloved father, grandfather, uncle and cousin and we will always cherish and revere him. He loved being with his family. Mr. Harris leaves to cherish his memory his son, Gregory Harris; daughter, Corliss Michelle Harris and his brother, Charles Harris. He also has three grandchildren, Amina A. Alford, Nefertari N. Rahmaan and Kedar K. Rahmaan; two  great-grandchildren and his  nieces and nephews, Hattie Dickerson, Jack Gay, Diane Jones, Juanita Gay, Doug Gay, Wyman Gay, David Coffee and Marilyn Smith. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Juanita Gay, Alma Coffey, Vivian Wiley and June Smith.

Mr. Harris spent 40 years in service to his country. He enlisted in 1955 and was trained as an aviation mechanic. He also worked in corrosion control and the welding shop. He served on five different ships during the Cuban crisis and two tours of duty in Vietnam with the 6th and 7th fleets. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in July, 1974 after 20 years of service. Three months later he went to work for the Veterans Administration as office machine operator and medical clerk for 20 more years before retiring. 

The family would like to thank Arkansas Hospice, The Springs of Premiere Health and special thanks to his caregiver, Susan Jackson and his former wife, Myrtle Harris for their loving care.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 10:00 am at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am. A military honored burial will be held after the funeral service at 1:00 pm at Arkansas State Veteran Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland Ave, North Little Rock.