James A. Harris

James Alton Harris, affectionately known to many family members as Sonny, saw his sunrise on Oct. 21, 1949, in Cordele, Ga., to Thomas J. Harris Sr. and Willie Mae Harris (Key). He passed away on April 7, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y.
James was raised in Cordele and graduated in 1967 from A.S. Clark High School. He attended multiple colleges, including Monroe Community College and UCLA, finishing with a bachelor's degree. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1973, serving as a corpsman with service time in Vietnam.
Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, he began his employment with Kaiser Permanente in the Los Angeles area. He worked for the California-based health care giant for 35 years, with stints at the Los Angeles, West Los Angeles and Panorama City medical centers.
While living in Southern California, James became a father to three children: his only daughter, Deitra, in 1974; his first son, Noel, in 1978; and youngest son, Alton, in 1990.
After retiring in 2009, he moved to Rochester, N.Y., in 2011 to be closer to his brothers, Thomas J. Harris Jr. and John C. Harris Sr., and sister, Linda Johnson. In Rochester he reconnected with family while living by himself. The move also gave him the opportunity to renew his relationship with God as he attended Faith, Hope and Charity Worship Center.
James loved listening to music of several genres and enjoyed many artists, including Steely Dan, Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, The Temptations and plenty more - but his favorite band was The Who, a group he saw live numerous times over the years. He also liked watching the NFL, with loyalty to both the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers; and sipping on whiskey with ice and mixed with Sprite and a touch of peach brandy.
He is survived by his daughter, Deitra, and her children, Le'Quan, Breyelle and Kierra; son, Noel (wife Melissa), and his children, Katelyn and Fin; and son, Alton, and his children, Elizabeth and Dominique. James is also survived by his brother, Thomas J. Harris Jr., and sister, Linda Johnson; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Mildred Harris and Beatrice Key; and brother, John C. Harris Sr.
Services will be held May 3 at Faith, Hope and Charity Worship Center in Rochester, N.Y.