James Louis Harris beloved husband, brother, uncle, friend, outdoorsman, hunter and recreational fisherman passed away peacefully on July 9, 2023, at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital at the end of a long, hard-fought battle with a rare blood disease. He was born in Washington DC and raised in Great Falls VA to parents, Col. Collas G. Harris and Julia Ann McSwain Harris who both predeceased him.
James was a jack of all trades, having been a restaurant worker, chef, plumber, electrician, alarm installer, kitchen and bath remodeler and a long stint with Xerox in Northern Virginia. Before his illness, he could fix about anything that went wrong around the house. He had an interest in photography and many of his pictures are framed and hanging on walls around the home and the homes of his relatives. From his professional restaurant experience, he liked to cook and grill as much as he enjoyed eating. He was a computer junkie, spending lots of time looking at You Tube where he soaked up how to do so many things. He was not so interested in school in his youth but was a voracious reader of both fiction and non-fiction and had a vast reservoir of knowledge about many subjects and was especially interested in History.
James and wife Cynthia retired and moved to the Outer Banks in 2005 so he could pursue his passion for saltwater fishing. He had begun coming to the Outer Banks to fish since the 1970’s and vowed that’s where he wanted to retire. Many beach and pier fishermen will remember him. He particularly enjoyed teaching teens with an interest in learning to fish all of the tricks to successful fishing and made several lasting friendships with them.
James is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Cynthia; brother, Collas Jr (Donna); nephew, Jonathan; and several cousins that he grew up with on summers spent in his mother’s hometown in SC, and his many fishing friends.
No services are planned at this time. A memorial may be held at a later date in the fall or winter near the ocean to spread his ashes. Donations in his name may be made to North Carolina Beach Buggy Association, 1002 Suffolk St., Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, or the charity of your choice. Please share condolences with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.
