Doyle Harris

Johnny Doyle Harris, 76, died May 23, 2015 after a long illness.He was born February 17, 1939 in Athens, TX where he grew up. He was the son of Albert Chester Harris and Laura Roxie Miller Harris. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Army, serving for 23 years and retiring honorably with the rank of Sergeant First Class. He attended Alabama Aviation and Technical College and Troy State University where he studied aviation management. His tours of duty included Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, and Germany and two tours in Vietnam where he served as an air traffic controller. His military honors include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

While stationed in Germany, he met the love of his life, Anita Martha Tiboft. They were married for 55 wonderful years, raising two children and experiencing many travels and tours of duty together. After retirement from the military, Johnny used his extensive automotive expertise to pursue several lines of work. He owned a paint and body business in Savannah, GA and worked in Savannah and Jacksonville as an automotive estimator for several national firms.

Johnny’s family came first in his life. His home was a haven for visiting kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids over the years, providing warmth, fun, a good meal, and fellowship. His support and love will never be forgotten. He was a quiet man about his beliefs, but had a strong faith in God. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Patricia Ann Harris; son-in-law-Steve Harris; grandson, Daniel Peter Harris; brothers, Nolen Chester Harris and James Thomas Larkin Harris; cousins, Derwin and Raymond Fuller, Enoch Harris; and nephew Steven Harris.

Surviving are his wife, Anita Martha Harris of Jacksonville; son, Peter Karl Harris and wife Beth of St. Augustine, FL; three grandchildren from Jacksonville: Jessica Stepaniak and her husband Alan, Kyle Harris, and Nichole Harris and her husband Bjorn Brown; great grandson William; brother-in-law, Lothar Tiboft and sister-in-law, Maria; nephew, Andreas and his wife Regine; and great nephew Finn Tiboft, all of Köngen, Germany; first cousin, Sherian Dayton and husband Don of Trinity, TX; cousins, Laura Roberts and Gina Sotiropoulos and spouse d’Agrella; niece, Kay Harris; nephews, Michael, Danny, and Robert Harris, all residing in his home state of Texas; and cousin Sherilyn Haralson, residing in East Ridge, TN.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 30 at 3:00pm at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, where also a reception will follow.

Remembrances may be sent to Christ’s Church, 6045 Greenland Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32258 or Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32257.