John Calhoun Harris

John Calhoun Harris, Sr.
December 2, 1928-May 4, 2021

John Calhoun Harris, Sr. passed away on May 4, 2021 at his home after courageously battling colon cancer.

John was born on December 2, 1928, in Florence, South Carolina. The youngest of four sons born to Dr. Claude Ezekiel Harris and Elizabeth Oglesby Harris, John grew up in Florence with his brothers and three cousins, who were more like brothers than cousins. John graduated from McClenaghan High School in 1947. He entered Clemson University and studied for a year before joining the Army National Guard. Once the Korean War began, John was called up to serve in the U. S. Army, where he was a Master Gunner in the 49th Anti-Aircraft Battalion. After serving in the Army, John returned to Clemson, graduating in 1955 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. John loved watching the Tigers play football.

John moved to Winston-Salem, NC in 1956 to begin work at Western Electric. While in Winston-Salem, he met the love of his life, Mary Alice Keller Harris, while tenants in the same apartment house. John and Mary Alice were married on September 7, 1957, and were the perfect partners and parents until her death in 2003. John and Alice moved to Durham, NC in 1966 when he was appointed the Plant Manager at Technitrol in the up and coming Research Triangle Park. John left Technitrol in 1972 to begin his own company, P & H Engineering. After retiring from P & H, John began tutoring high school students and substitute teaching in the Durham Public Schools. He especially enjoyed sharing his passion for Math and was able to teach at all of Durham’s high schools.

John was a member of Yates Baptist Church since moving to Durham. He was a member of the Rosie Hampton Sunday School Class. Through the years he served as Deacon, Sunday School teacher and on various committees. John enjoyed monthly lunches and birthday dinners with his Sunday School friends until the pandemic of 2020. John was a gifted storyteller and will be remembered for his infectious laugh. He enjoyed talking with people and would strike up a conversation with anyone.

John is survived by his children, Lydia Harris McGee (Bill) of the home, and John Calhoun (Cal) Harris, Jr., (Anne) of Norcross, GA. Also surviving are his beloved grandchildren: Allison Diane McGee, Edward Keller (Kel) McGee, Morgan Elizabeth McGee, all of Durham, John Calhoun Harris III (Jack) of Atlanta, GA, and Stephanie Grace Harris of Hiawassee, GA. John is also survived by two very special cousins, Bob Laughlin (Charlotte) of New Braunfels, TX and Cora Jane Woodberry (Boyce) of Florence, SC.

John is predeceased by his wife, Mary Alice, his parents, and his brothers Claude Ezekiel Harris, Jr., Robert Brown Harris and Rufus Oglesby Harris and by John’s cousins Lawrence Laughlin and George Laughlin.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday, May 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Yates Baptist Church, 2819 Chapel Hill Rd., Durham, NC 27707. The family will receive visitors at 1:00 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Children’s Home Society in Greensboro, or Honoring God’s House at Yates Baptist Church in Durham.