- Date Of Birth: August 21, 1936
- Date Of Death: February 22, 2020
- State: North Carolina
J.D. Harris, 83, of Statesville, passed away peacefully, Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the Gordon Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family.
Born August 21, 1936 in Statesville, he was the son of the late Paul R. Harris, Sr. and Carrie Daniels Harris. He was a 1955 graduate of Statesville Senior High School, where he played all sports, football, baseball and basketball. He was awarded at graduation the Perdue Athletic Award for the outstanding male athlete for that school year.
He joined the Statesville Fire Department and retired as a Captain following 30 years of service. He was instrumental in the founding of the Fire Department Scuba Diving program for search and rescue. He was also instrumental in the restoring of older fire department equipment and helped start the Iredell County Rescue Squad. J.D. served as the historian for the fire department and was a member of the Retired Fireman’s Association. He enjoyed attending the meetings and the food fellowship.
J.D. was a member of Western Avenue Baptist Church, was a former Deacon and was involved with the Bus Ministry for a number of years. He was also a Lay Minister and was involved with Prison Ministry. In 1985, he was honored by the Statesville Record and Landmark with the First Pride Award for Statesville.
For all his involvement at the High School, he became known as “Mr. Touchdown USA”. When no longer able to participate in sports he became and stayed a huge Greyhound supporter. He was also known for his skill in taxidermy.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Dorothy Harmon, Helen Mayfield, Ruth Ostwalt and Betty Jo Harris; one brother, Paul R. Harris, Jr. and a grandson, Andrew Gaston Rupard in 2019.
He is survived by his wife, Marie Speaks Johnson Harris, whom he married in 1976, a son, Scotty Harris (Danna), a daughter, Julie H. Rupard (Terry) all of Harmony, a step-son, Robbie Johnson of Statesville, and a step-daughter, April Hemric (Phil) of Elkin, NC; seven grandchildren, Chris Harris (Emily), Casey Harris (Chelsea), Jennifer Steele (Joe), Ashley Privette (Micah), Matthew Rupard (Nichole), Philip Hemric and Brandon Hemric; two great grandchildren, Natalynn Privette and Finley Privette; one brother, Melvin Harris (Shirley) along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, also survive.
A service to celebrate the life of J.D. will be conducted 2:00pm Friday, February 28, 2020 at Western Avenue Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Jeff Spry, Rev. David Childress and Retired Fireman’s Association Chaplain Rev.
