Harold Harris

E. Harold Harris departed this earthly habitat surrounded by loving family at his home on January 18, 2025. Harold was born April 15, 1928, in the community of Southside in Montgomery County, Tennessee, the eleventh child of Edgar H. Harris and Rosa Hagewood Harris. He attended and graduated from Southside Elementary School and Montgomery Central High School. Harold served a three-year enlistment in the Army Air Corps – U.S. Airforce as a Radar Mechanic, including extended service in Guam. He attended Austin Peay College and later graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

While in Knoxville, Harold met and married Velma Falin who was a native of Wise County, Virginia. Thanks to Velma’s devotion, they were husband and wife for 54 years, three days prior to her death, August 11, 2008.

Even though Harold was educated to be a Soils Conservationist, most of his post-college work was in the housing field. He owned and operated a local real estate business, which included sales, residential construction, subdivision development, rentals and mortgage brokerage. His retirement years were spent quail hunting as long as he was able, and then the card game of bridge became his obsession. He was a member of Vanderbilt Bridge Club for many years. After his days of traveling to play with various bridge groups were over, he pursued his favorite pastime on-line, playing bridge on a regular basis with people worldwide. 

Harold was a prankster and jokester who always kept his family and friends in great spirits! He was the keeper of anecdotes and caricatures of all the events, foibles and family legends. Harold made our ancestors past come back to life for current generations.

Harold was a past President of the local Board of Realtors and was especially proud of having been awarded the Soil Conservation Program Award in 1975. Probably his most cherished accomplishment was the fact that he had many friends of different races, creeds, and color, both male and female. This is evident in his choice of honorary pallbearers.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 25, at 11:00 AM at Sykes Funeral Home with Pastor Jamie Mandrell officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the hour of service. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery following the funeral. 

Pallbearers will be Shane Shetler, Charlie Malone, Ed Alexander, Smith Harris, Harry Boyd, Wade Harris, Mike Falin and Marty Falin.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Kay Martin, Ann Adkins, Melanie Boisseau, Tina Robertson, Barbara Jo Knight, Cindy Appleton, Lorie and Steve Flankey, Cathy Boyd, Charlie Edlin, Robert Workman, Suzanne Uffleman (posthumously) and John Richard Outlaw (posthumously).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. 

Please visit Harold's online guestbook and share a memory with the family.