Born in a log cabin in Sutton, Braxton Co, West Virginia on February 10, 1926 to Doris Marie Harris, raised by his grandparents John Lewis "JL" Harris and Rantie (McElwain) Harris on the family farm. Following his primary education in Sutton, he moved to Akron, OH where he began working for the B&O Railroad.
Enlisting in the United States Marine Corps during WWII, he served in numerous battles including the Battle for Imo Jima where he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart Medal. After the war he went to work at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company where he met and married the late Tacy Garnet Lynch on April 26, 1948. Returning to West Virginia where they raised their children Kermit Earl "Buck" Harris and daughter Lela Marie Harris.
Accepting employment with the Broughton Dairy, Mr. Harris's hard work and people skills moved him up the corporate ladder. Recognizing his outstanding ability to negotiate with people and business owners, he soon became a labor leader in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a position he held for many years. Upon leaving the union, but not from work, he founded the Harris Business Consultants LLC, from which he retired several years later, then relocating to Tennessee.
Never idle, he was soon recruited to drive a shuttle bus at the Nashville International Airport. Transporting airport staff along with airline passengers, a favorite passenger was Ruth Soto a TSA Agent, who he soon married. After retirement, they moved to Hermitage.
Mr. Harris always a Patriot and Marine, proudly displayed a Purple Heart tag on his truck, flew an American flag, the Marine Corps flag, and stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. He showed his support to our law enforcement and first responders as well. A Lifelong member of the Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps Association and Foundation, Military Order of Purple Heart, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Harris is survived by his wife Ruth (Soto) Harris of Hermitage TN. Son Kermit Earl "Buck" Harris (Joy House) of Hohenwald TN; daughter Lela Marie Harris (Brian) Cunningham of Nashville TN. Grandchildren Kermit Jason Melvin Harris (Andrea Thornton) of Grand Rapids, MI; Aundrea Tacy 'Lee Harris (Michael) Peterson of Richmond, MI. Great-Grandchildren Kermit Mykah McCarthy Harris of Grand Rapids, MI; Alex'Aundrea Ruth "Lexi" Harris of Richmond, MI; Alexander Michael "Axle" Peterson of Richmond, MI
Mr. Harris was predeceased by his mother, grandparents, and daughter-in-law Pamela Ruth (Stark) Harris.
Military services will be held at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, Nashville on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Masks and social distancing are requested.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or a charity of your choosing.
Hermitage Funeral Home in Old Hickory, TN assisted the family with arrangements.
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