Tyrone was born on November 28, 1961 to the late Cleveland Harris Sr. and Joyce A. Harris in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended George Washington Carver High School in New Orleans and then graduated Cum Laude from Touro University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He also graduated Trident University in 2013 after achieving his Masters for Business Administration. He married the love of his life, Terry Jo Harris, on January 27, 1984; they had a beautiful 41 years together.
Tyrone served his country as a MSG in the US Army for 24 years before retiring and becoming a Logistics Management Specialist GS-12, where he worked another 21 years. Through his hard work and dedication, Tyrone had many achievements and acknowledgements. He earned many medals such as a Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Star, Kuwait Liberation Medal (K), and Kuwait Liberation Medal (SA). He was also commemorated with ribbons like the Noncommissioned Officers' Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon, as well as the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar.
As a man of faith, Tyrone dedicated his time to being part of the Church of Christ. Tyrone was the true definition of a man. He was the ideal family man and he left a lasting impact on everyone he ever met; he never met a stranger he didn’t strike a conversation with. Tyrone was jolly and always had a smile on his face, he was generous and compassionate, and honest and trustworthy. His character and faith spoke for itself. As a kind and loving person, it is no surprise that he got that in return and was deeply loved by family and friends.
Family was one of the most important things to Tyrone, he loved nothing more than his wife and family. He was affectionately known as “Papa” by his grandchildren and they were all he could talk about, he always made sure to tell someone about them.
There are a lot of great things about Tyrone. If asked, anyone could tell you that he loved to tell jokes because making people laugh was one that was important to him. He was the hardest working man ever and he couldn’t keep still for nothing. He loved singing and dancing; he especially loved eating his pork and beans every day and requested yellow cake with chocolate frosting every birthday.
Tyrone is preceded in death by his parents, Cleveland Harris Sr. and Joyce A. Harris, and brothers, Wayne Harris and Brian Harris.
He is survived by his loving wife, Terry J. Harris; his four children, Shantell C. Franklin, Daejau L. Banning, Tyrone Harris Jr., LaTaisha A. Harris; his nine grandchildren, Ron Franklin Jr., Rehanna Franklin, Tahliya Banning, D’Mikael Banning, Jaikari Harris, Cali Clemons, Crislyn Clemons, Amari Harris, and Tyquez Harris; his six brothers, Cleveland Harris Jr. of New Orleans, LA, Everette Harris (Jolene) of New Orleans, LA, Alvin Harris (Joyce) of New Orleans, LA, Gary Harris (Dayanna) of Jacksonville, NC, Kelin Harris of New Orleans, LA, and Pernell Harris (Kendra) of New Orleans, LA; as well as his four sisters, Sylvia Andrews (Wallace) of New Orleans, LA, Deborah Duroseau (Leon) of New Orleans, LA, Joyce Leflore (William) of New Orleans, LA, Michele Hall (Anthony) of New Orleans, LA.
Pallbearers include Alvin Harris, Gary Harris, Kelin Harris, Tyrone Harris Jr., Jaikari Harris, and Roy Sevalia; honorary pallbearers include Cleveland Harris Sr., Everette Harris, Pernell Harris, John Poole.
A Visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Fisher Chapel, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907. A Celebration of Life will occur Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 11:00 AM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Fisher Chapel, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907. Tyrone will be laid to rest at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, 553 AL-165, Fort Mitchell, Alabama, 36856. A repass will be held after Tyrone's burial, it will be at the Columbus Firefighters Association, 6655 Lynch Road, Columbus, GA 31907.
