Doyle E. Harris

Doyle E. Harris of Gardendale passed away on June 11, 2022, at the age of 94. He was born in Nauvoo, Alabama, on October 13, 1927, to Stephen R. and Celia Ann Harris, the youngest of 15 children. Despite being born during the Great Depression, he often expressed fond memories of his childhood spent in the company of his many brothers and sisters and friends. He played basketball in high school and thought at one time of becoming a coach, but his high school career was cut short when he received his draft notice at the age of 18, and he subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Navy near the end of World War II. He served as a yeoman on the USS PCE-846 in the north Pacific and told many stories of his time at sea, including how the ship would have to go behind an “ice breaker” while sailing in the waters off of Alaska. This Alabama boy said he had never been so cold in his entire life!

Upon his discharge he returned to Alabama to complete his high school education where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Hilton. They were married in 1949 and moved to Birmingham to attend Howard College (now Samford University). He completed 3 years of college on the GI bill before going to work for Tennessee Coal and Iron (TCI) in the printing department. While there he took advantage of every opportunity to learn about the different machines being used and became proficient at running and repairing them, so much so that he was noticed by a salesman from a local printing equipment company, Dixie Type, and offered a job. He worked his way up to a sales position where he thrived and eventually landed a job with the Pittman Company, where he worked for 23 years as the sole Alabama representative for the company. He earned the nickname “Doc” by his customers due to his ability to service and repair all of the equipment that he sold. He was often called upon by his customers, many of them small-town newspapers, to help keep their equipment running and was always willing to go the extra mile.

During the time of developing his career, he and Kathleen moved to a small community in north Birmingham called Norwood where the family grew to include 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. Soon after moving, they became members of Norwood United Methodist Church where Doyle was very active, serving on several committees and also as an usher and Sunday School teacher. His dedication to church participation continued after the family moved to Gardendale and they joined Gardendale UMC which would later become Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC. Doyle was one of the original members who helped break ground on the site of the current building. Even after his retirement he was often found working at the church doing yard work, painting, and whatever else might need to be done. He was a true example of a servant/leader.

Doyle was also a master Mason as a member of the Gardendale Lodge. In 1988 he was elected Worshipful Master of the lodge. He was one of the few Masons in the lodge who was qualified to administer Masonic rites at funerals which he conducted many times.

He loved to fish, but this did not compare to his love for Alabama football and the great Bear Bryant. Whatever else might be going on, Saturday afternoons in the fall were spent by the radio or TV, often with family and friends, cheering on his beloved Crimson Tide.

He was preceded in death by his parents, all of his brothers and sisters, and his son, Richard Brent Harris. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Kathleen Hilton Harris, son Steven Hilton Harris (Cathy), daughter Patti Dawn Wilkerson (Dale), and daughter Tamara Kathleen Trudeau (Bill). He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was known for his devotion to family, unfailing loyalty, sincere honesty, and his love of God. He was loved by all who knew him.

A visitation for Doyle will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, 2029 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, AL 35071, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.

Doyle will be laid to rest in Oakwood Memorial Gardens, 2100 Moncrief Road, Gardendale, AL 35071-2374.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the Harris family.