John Stringham Harr

John Stringham Harr passed away on June 24th, 2026, at his home in Chapin, South Carolina after a difficult battle with ALS. A devoted Christian, brother, father, grandfather, and friend, John will be dearly missed.

John was born on November 5th, 1964 in Charlotte, North Carolina to William Evarts Harr and Nancy Louise Stringham Harr. He was the third of four children. His father’s job moved the family to Columbia, South Carolina shortly after he was born in 1965, where they lived in Whitehall. It was there that he met his lifelong friend Clark Gentry at just 5 years old. The family later moved to Coldstream, where John was a member of the summer swim team at the country club. He played many other sports growing up as well, including little league baseball, flag football, and eventually varsity football for Irmo High School. He graduated from Irmo High School in 1983.

After high school, John attended Midlands Technical College and worked at Jaderloon, a local greenhouse manufacturer, building greenhouses. Once he finished his associate’s degree in industrial technology – Tool and Die, John started working for Garlock Helicoflex, now known as Technetics Group, an EnPro Industries Company. He remained a dedicated employee with Technetics for 35 years, devoting himself to consistently learning and perfecting his skill. During his tenure with Technetics, he was awarded three patents for unique tools of his own design (a head gasket assembly, a jacketed resilient metal seal, and an annular sealing device), along with another patent for a joint design (a seal retainer).

John married Sheila Rae Harrison in 1992 and had two children, Stuart Harrison Harr (Presley) and Ethan Thomas Harr (Bailey). John was known best for his passionate love of sailing and being in the water. He was often found at the Lake Murray Sailing Club, racing with his best friends and longtime girlfriend Jennifer Carrel Kirkley. He was a proud member of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church of Chapin, where he served as a Layreader, Chalice Bearer, and Junior Warden. He had a great love for music and live concerts. He loved camping and hiking, leading him to serve as a Scout Leader throughout his sons’ time pursuing their Eagle Scout badges. He loved watching his sons play rugby throughout high school and college. His favorite weekend of the year was the annual Harr Family Reunion spent with his siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He loved helping and being with friends and family. He could do anything he set his mind to, especially when it came to fixing things. He was extremely handy and loved the challenge of figuring out how to fix a problem himself rather than hiring outside help. His children thought he could do anything. He truly lived life to the fullest.

John is survived by: his son, Stuart Harrison Harr (Presley) of Simpsonville, SC and son, Ethan Thomas Harr (Bailey) of Piedmont, SC; his longtime girlfriend, Jennifer Carrel Kirkley of Irmo, SC and her daughters Olivia Carrel Kirkley of Blythewood, SC and Miranda Louise Kirkley of Crestview, FL; grandchildren, Finnick Harrison Harr and Summer Ann Harr of Simpsonville, SC; sister, Debra Cheryl Harr Tharpe of Greenwood, SC, brother, William Evarts Harr Jr. (Susan) of Irmo, SC, and sister, Susan Jennifer Harr Caron (Waddy) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents William Evarts Harr and Nancy Louise Stringham Harr; uncle, Gerald Evarts Harr; and mother of his children, Sheila Rae Harrison Harr.

A celebration of life will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church of Chapin on July 11th, 2026, at 11:00am. The family asks that everyone wear blue, John’s favorite color, to honor him at the service. Immediately following the service, family and friends are warmly invited to gather for a reception and fellowship in the Parish Hall to share stories and remember the wonderful life of John.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church 735 Old Lexington Hwy Chapin, SC 29036.