James Edwin Harris, Sr.

Jim Harris died peacefully on Friday, September 25th, surrounded by family who loved him.

Jim was born on the first anniversary of the start of World War II, September 1, 1940, the first of four children of Spratt and Lucille Harris. Jim grew up in Indian Land, South Carolina. His childhood, while not rich in wealth or possessions, was rich in family, friends, experiences, and love.

It was in Indian Land that Jim, as a ninth-grader working in a general store, met the beautiful eighth-grade daughter of H.P. Garrison when she came into the store to buy a coke after riding with her father on his mail route. Mary Anne Garrison became the love of Jim’s life, they were sweethearts throughout high school and college, and were together for 70 years, with a wonderful and fulfilling 63-year marriage.

Jim attended Clemson University, the first in his family to attend college, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He worked summers at Crowder Construction Company, which he joined as a civil engineer upon graduation from Clemson. Jim worked for Crowder for eleven years after college, finding mentors and forming close friendships that helped shape his professional life.

Jim left Crowder in 1974 to start James E. Harris Construction Company, which he led and grew for over 30 years. Jim always measured the company’s success by how many families it supported. He was a good businessman with a reputation for quality and integrity.

Jim was blessed with lifelong friends who treasured one another and were consistently present in one another’s lives. Hunting buddies who took trips out West every year for over 45 years. A couples bridge group that played together monthly for 50 years. A monthly poker group still going strong after 50 years.

Jim’s family was his greatest source of pride and joy. Jim was a great father to his sons, Jay and John, spending time hunting together, supporting them as they played sports through college, and mentoring them as they began their careers working with him. He was a great grandfather to his grandchildren, seining for sea creatures at Edisto, instructing on how to use a chain saw and power tools, and catching racoons in his back yard and releasing them in distant locations.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary Anne Garrison Harris; his sons Jay (Meredith) and John (Julie); and his grandchildren Charlie, Julian, Sara Kate, and Mary. He is also survived by his brother Bob Harris (Leslie), sister Jeannie Jamieson (Tommy), brother-in-law Charles (Barbara), and sister-in-law Kathy (Herb). He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Linda McCorkle (Don).

A memorial service celebrating Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, October 17th at 2PM at Davidson United Methodist Church. A reception will follow at the church.

In lieu of memorial gifts, Jim’s family requests that you plant a tree in his memory.

Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home & Cremation Services is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.KepnerFH.com