John Raymond Harris

John Raymond Harris, a 75-year resident of Emmett Township, passed away at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, surrounded by his family on Thursday, May 22, 2025 due to his battle with Lymphatic Cancer.
John was born to George Clark Harris and Ida Elizabeth Harris (Swainston) on August 12, 1944 in Marshall, Michigan. John was the middle child of five children. He was raised on the Harris Family Farm in Emmett Township with his brothers, George, Jim, David and Bill. John attended the Calhoun Rural Agricultural School District, known today as Harper Creek Community Schools. During his schooling, John went to Sandstone School on Wheatfield Road and the Red Brick School on Verona Road. John went to Harper Creek High School and was a member of the class of 1963. He excelled in athletics, lettering in baseball, basketball and football. John played the positions of pitcher and shortstop in baseball, and was known to pitch back-to-back games. In basketball, John was a guard, and while only 5'9" he could jump high enough to be an effective and productive player. While playing football, John played quarterback as well as some defensive end. John was known for his tenacity as an athlete as evidenced by one football game against Climax in which he played injured as quarterback, winning the game with one arm taped down to his side.
In January of 1964, John and his brother, David became 2nd generation Eagle Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America. During the Vietnam War, John honorably served in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas from 1966 – 1968, attaining the rank of Sergeant, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Sharpshooter. After John's active duty, he served 4 years in the Michigan National Guard.
John went to Autobody School and established himself in Marshall and Battle Creek as a bodyman, working on cars for over 30 years. John worked at Denooyer Chevrolet, Bosher Ford, Large's Auto Body, Shaw's Body Shop, and was shop manager at Bill Bedford's and Keye's Autobody. John approached his craft as a bodyman with the same passion as he did with athletics and gave 100%, becoming one of the most sought after bodyman in the area. John's car painting skills were widely known. He was known to help out friends with their vehicles and many cars were painted in the garage of the family home on 10 Mile Road. John worked tirelessly to provide for his wife and kids, taking every opportunity to make numerous memories through camping and fishing trips, traveling up north, and being the life of the party at many family reunions. John also played baseball and football with many neighborhood kids, with games taking place in the backyard or an open field. It was not an uncommon occurrence for a group of neighborhood kids to knock on the front door and ask, "Can Mr. Harris come out and play?"
John was always an exceptional athlete with baseball being his favorite sport to play. After high school, John worked out with the Chicago Cubs Farm Team as a pitcher, followed by working out with the Houston Astros Farm Team, also as a pitcher. It was while John was playing for Chicago in which he broke his arm while throwing a screwball. This however, did not stop John's passion for baseball as he pitched for the Army using his exceptional, near un-hittable knuckleball that he had perfected. It was while John was in Texas during his time in the Army, that he practiced/played with the Astros Farm Team. However, as life sometimes goes, his path to the Major League was suddenly cut short. For one inning, John pitched in his last baseball game, while coaching a Single A baseball team at Bailey Park, at age 47, using his knuckleball to strike out the batters he faced.
John also became an excellent Men's Slow-pitch softball player in Marshall, Michigan, playing for Stanley Packing and Redfield Brothers, playing primarily in the position of shortstop. In addition to his aggressive defensive play, John became known for his fast hard throws from shortstop to first base to make an out. This later accolade proved to be true when during one softball game, John's throw was so hard that it broke the first baseman's hand through his glove. When John got into his 40's he played in the Marshall 40 and over league, with one year claiming the home run title. John retired from softball in his late 40's, but at times would play in a pickup game. John came out of retirement and returned to the game of softball in his 60's as a pitcher, playing for Battle Creek First Assembly (Journey Church) in the United Christian Athletic Association of Battle Creek. John's passion for pitching returned as he would often set out a five-gallon bucket as a target in the backyard and experiment with various softball pitches, perfecting a wicked backspin pitch that many batters did not want to face. John finally retired from pitching softball at age 70.
John's passion and knowledge of baseball and softball were passed on to the many youths who participated in the Wattles Park Men's Club baseball and softball programs. where he coached both boy's baseball and girl's softball for many years. John quickly became one of the most beloved coaches of the WPMC, and the way he coached the kids was a sight to see. John passed on his passion for baseball and softball to the kids of the WPMC as he encouraged each and every one to give 100%, to always do their best, teaching good sportsmanship with the philosophy that "it is just as important to be a good winner as it was to be a good loser." John was always a positive influence to the kids he coached, the number of kids he coached and influenced were in the hundreds.
In addition to the WPMC, John was highly involved in the Boy Scouts of America. Serving as a Cub Scout Leader at Wattles Park, then going on to be a Boy Scout Leader for Ceresco Troop 344, and then later becoming Scoutmaster for Troop 344. John approached the Boy Scouts as he did anything else in life, giving 100% in everything he did, living out the 12 Points of the Scout Law in his own life. John participated with the Boy Scouts on trips to Drummond Island, Washington DC, Virginia, Camp Rota Kiwan, Camp Gerber and other camping spots, teaching boys from his extensive scouting knowledge, helping many earn the Merit Badges on their path to becoming an Eagle Scout. While Scoutmaster for Troop 344, John helped 36 young men attain the rank of Eagle Scout. The Communities of Emmett Township, Ceresco, Marshall Township and other surrounding areas benefited from many final Eagle Scout Projects that took place while John was Scoutmaster. In 2010 John was in charge of the William Boyce Centennial Camporee, which was held at the Marshall Fairgrounds as a part of the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouting Celebrations that took place in Michigan and around the United States. This event brought in an estimated total of over 1,000 Boy Scouts and Leaders to the City of Marshall and Marshall Township. There were Scouting Displays, Programs and a Hike to the William Boyce Home in Marshall that took place over the weekend. Because of John's leadership in leading this event, he was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, one of the highest honors of the Boy Scouts. John retired as Scoutmaster for Troop 344 in 2013, but not retire from Scouting itself as he was appointed to the District Eagle Scout Board of Review. During his time in the Boy Scouts, John was a positive influence for possibly thousands of Boy Scouts and Leaders.
John was also an avid Golfer of which he learned to play from his Uncle Bob. During John's later years he participated in a number of Golf Leagues in Calhoun County. John's approach to Golf was the same as his approach to Baseball, in that he was passionate, competitive and played his best. John always looked for ways to improve his golf play, consistently staying at a very low handicap. John was always practicing the game of Golf in one way or another, whether it was chipping in the backyard, putting in the house, going to the driving range or even practicing on the Nintendo Wii. John's final years of playing Golf were riddled with arthritis, hip and back pain and a bout with Lung Cancer, but he would not let these obstacles keep him from playing the game he loved so much. John became a well-known golf club maker using his creative talent, approaching it with the same passion as he approached anything else in life. John always enjoyed golfing with family, friends and sometimes even strangers that he would meet on the golf course. John was always encouraging to those he played with, using his knowledge of the game to help people do their best at the game. In his later years, John consistently surprised younger golfers on how far an old man could hit a golf ball.
John participated in many bowling leagues at Ken Knottke's Bowl, Springlake Lanes and M-66 Bowl. John was also a youth AMF Bowling Coach at Marshall Lanes. As a youth bowling coach, John used his knowledge of bowling to teach his son Joe and daughter Dawn, as well as other youth how to play the game well. John bowled in many State Tournaments and bowled Scotch Doubles with his wife Barb. In his older years, John passed on his knowledge of bowling to one of his granddaughters, who went to the State Finals for Lakeview High School, bowling a high game of 278. John bowled his last game in his mid-70's, giving 100%, doing his best as his aging body would allow.
During the last few years of John's life, he once again became active in Community Service in Emmett Township, regularly attending Township Meetings. John was always direct with his public comments, was not afraid to let people know what he thought and brought a lifetime of knowledge to these meetings. John's last Public/Community service to Emmett Township was when he was appointed to the Emmett Township Parks Committee, an appointment he truly treasured.
John will be remembered for the way he lived life with passion, giving 100% in everything he did and encouraging people by focusing on their strengths. Also being an example of humbleness in that he never pretended to be perfect but acknowledged his weaknesses. Being a resource of a lifetime of common-sense wisdom, which he readily shared and taught with those who would receive it. John will also be remembered for being a fighter in the face of adversity, in that he did not let adverse circumstances keep him from living life, even up until his dying day. John believed in God and acknowledged Jesus Christ as Savior of his life.
John married his wife, Barbara Harris (Gustafson) on September 4, 1970, and they were married for 54 years. In addition John is survived by son, Joseph (Karla) Harris of Battle Creek MI; daughter, Dawn (Bob) Sibal of Albion; two children from a previous marriage son, Jack Green; daughter, Jill Amundson (Green); three brothers, James (Michael) Harris of Belleville Illinois, David (Mary Ann) Harris of Anderson, Indiana and Bill Harris of Atlanta, Georgia; as well as cousin, Becky Kunkler (Harris) of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; grandchildren Josh, Arianna, Amber, Desiree, Benjamin, Nicholas, Brianna; and great-grandchild, Silas.
John was preceded in death by his father, George Clark Harris; mother, Ida Elizabeth Harris (Swainston); uncle, Robert Harris; aunt, Laura Harris (Swainston); and brother, George Harris.
Per John's wishes, cremation has taken place. An Interment Service will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 10:30 AM, followed by a Memorial Service at 12:00 Noon at Family Altar Chapel, 14844 6 1/2 Mile Road, Battle Creek, MI 49014.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made in John's name to the Wattles Park Men's Club.
Personal messages for John's family may be shared at www.baxterfuneral.com.
Arrangements entrusted to the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com.