George Harriss II

GEORGE HARRISS II

George Harriss II, 77, of Wilmington ended his valiant fight with cancer on Saturday, July 23, 2011, surrounded by his loving wife, Brenda, and a host of loved ones at his home. Mr. Harriss was born April 8, 1934, to the late Andrew Jennings and Jane Lynch Harriss. After graduating from New Hanover High School in 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in the Signal Corps. After his service, he enrolled at N.C. State University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in Industrial Engineering in 1959. He was an ordained Deacon at Winter Park Presbyterian Church.

A lifelong entrepreneur, he was the owner and founder of Harriss Enterprises, Inc. Over the years, however, the numerous companies he either worked for or founded included Babcock & Wilcox, Union Camp Paper Company, Federal Paper, New Hanover Promotions (with George Rountree), Hercules, Plantations Acres Campground, John B. Scotton Clothing, Duffy's Restaurant, Tuesdays Restaurants, Bradly Creek Boataminium, Bradly Creek Condominiums, Landmark and Sea Vista Motelaminiums, Waterway Motel, Campus Edge Condominiums, Bradly Point, O. E. DuRant, and Stimmerman's. He also was one of the Producers of the movie The Fix and helped found the Wilmington Ballet Company. He served on the Board of Directors at First Union and at Tidewater Savings & Loan, and on the Board of Visitors at UNCW, the Board of Trustees of Cape Fear Academy, and was a member of the Cape Fear Country Club, the Carolina Yacht Club, the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, the Buccaneer Gun Club, the Jaycees and Kiwanis Clubs. He was a lifetime member of Ducks Unlimited, inducted into the N. C. Ducks Unlimited Hall of Fame, and was the original recipient and namesake of the George Harriss Award in 1997.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Harriss was predeceased by his daughter, Elizabeth Howell Harriss. He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda Wolfe Harriss, brother Andrew Jennings Harriss (Lynda), and brother Herbert Lynch Harriss (Karen). He is also survived by his daughter Rebecca "Becky" Harriss Haddock (Gary), son George Harriss III, daughter Elizabeth "Libby" Harriss Buck (Trey), son Larry Wolfe (Angela), daughter Elizabeth Ann Wolfe Hester (Sandy), and son John Jennings Harriss. His grandchildren are Aaron Haddock (Amylynn), Rachael Haddock Theisen (Drew), Benjamin Harriss Haddock, Sarah Harriss, George Harriss IV, Anna Wolfe, Melody Wolfe, Danielle Nichols, Alexis Harriss Lane, Newman Buck IV, Caleb Alexander Swinson, and Mary Elizabeth Hester. His great grandchildren are Tristan and Bradley Haddock. He also leaves numerous loving nephews, nieces and their families.

Also mourning his loss are many members of Brenda's family, including Claire Wilkes, Larry Wilkes, Jr. (Donna), Doyce W. Smith, Lydia W. Evans (Brent), Amelia W. Woods, all of Dublin, GA, and Donald B. Sellers (Cindy) of Southport, NC, and their families.

Visitation is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Andrews Mortuary on Tuesday, July 26. A memorial service is planned for Wednesday, July 27, at 10:00 a.m. at Winter Park Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to any charity of your choice or to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Presbyterian Counseling Center, or to Pender County Humane Society.

Online condolences may be made at www.andrewsmortuary.com

Andrews Market Street Chapel



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