James Leonard Harris was born in Montgomery County, GA in 1934. He was predeceased by his parents, Samuel D. Harris and Mary Anne Bishop Pedder Harris and his brothers, Samuel D. Harris, Jr., and William L. “Billy” Harris.
Mr. Harris grew up in Vidalia, GA, graduating from Vidalia High School in 1952. He attended Georgia Tech, and graduated from Southern Tech in Chamblee, Ga. Mr. Harris was employed as a Territory Manager with Lennox Industries in Birmingham, Alabama, winning the Million Dollar Sales award. Later, transferring to North Augusta, SC, where he resided for twenty-eight years.
While living in North Augusta, he served on the City Council for twelve years. He was also an active member of Grace United Methodist Church, later joining First Baptist Church. Mr. Harris retired in 1997 from Johnson Controls as Deputy Project Manager at the Savannah River plant. He and his wife, Gail, returned to their hometown of Vidalia in 2004, joining First Baptist Church, where he was a member of the choir, the count team, and the Fellowship Class and later, the Caring and Sharing Class. Recently, he returned to the church of his childhood, Vidalia United Methodist. He was also a member of the Sons of the Revolution, and the Vidalia Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Harris is survived by his wife, Gail Crockett Harris; two daughters and sons-in-law, Anne H. Banks and Leon Banks of Newberry, SC, and Jeanne W. Foulke and Ron Foulke of Brunswick, GA; five grandchildren, Charlie Banks, Catherine Gregorie, Dr. Kelton Wigington M.D., Chase Williamson and Travis Williamson, two step-grandsons, Derrick Foulke and David Foulke, and fourteen great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at Lakeview Memorial Gardens on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 2:00 with Reverend Jim Smith and Reverend David Blalock officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice Foundation, PO Box 2277, Vidalia, GA 30475; Vidalia First United Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 150, Vidalia, GA 30475, or First Baptist Church Mission Program, PO Box 631, Vidalia, GA 30475.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of James Leonard Harris, please visit our floral store.