James Harris

James Edmond Harris, lovingly known as Jim and Papa, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026, at the age of 84, surrounded by love.

Jim was born on April 20, 1941, in Pittsboro, Chatham County, North Carolina. He was the third of four children, raised in a close-knit family shaped by perseverance, responsibility, and quiet strength. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Delores. They raised two children, James Harris Jr. and Dawn Harris Stone. When Delores became ill, Jim devoted himself wholeheartedly to her care, faithfully walking beside her through her battle with cancer until her passing in 2005. His devotion during those years reflected the depth of his love and the integrity of his character.

In a later and unexpected chapter of life, Jim found love again when he married Sheryll. Together they built a blended family rooted in love, companionship, shared purpose, and faith. Jim became a devoted member of his church, serving faithfully as an usher and greeting others each Sunday with warmth and humility. Standing beside Sheryll in service and in life brought him deep joy, and he cherished his church family and close friends dearly.

Jim was a proud and loving Papa. He was gentle, patient, and fully present-rocking babies, bottle feeding, changing diapers, or simply sitting on the floor to play. He often spoke to the grandchildren about their "imaginary string," an invisible line forever connecting his heart to theirs, reminding them that his love would always remain with them. Jim lived a full and varied professional life. As a young man, he worked in a family-owned general store, later owned and operated a Gulf gas station, and proudly served four years in the Army National Guard after enlisting in 1962. He went on to manage Brown's Auto Supply in Durham, serve as warehouse manager for General Parts in Raleigh, co-own multiple auto parts stores, and eventually found his stride, founding Professional Grounds Maintenance, a landscaping business he built with pride, precision, and a belief that anything worth doing was worth doing well. An avid golfer-what Sheryll labeled "swings of a lifetime"-Jim found peace and joy on the fairways throughout his life. Golf remained a bright place in his heart, especially during his years living in the Eagle Ridge Golf Community, where many mornings, afternoons, and sunsets were spent doing what he loved most. He was also a devoted UNC fan and enjoyed playing golf in Chapel Hill with Coach Roy Williams.

Jim's life was marked by devotion-to his family, his faith, his work, and those entrusted to his care. He leaves behind a legacy of quiet strength, humility, kindness, and steadfast love. Jim was preceded in death by his beloved first wife, Delores Massey Harris; his father, Thomas Edmond Harris; his mother, Isabel Petty Harris; his brother, Harold Thomas Harris; and his sister, Carol Harris Ferrell. 

He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife and teammate, Sheryll; his children, James Harris Jr. (Tammy), and Dawn Harris Stone; her children, Brittney Stone Lee, with her children Houston and Sirus, and Dylan Stone (Tracie), with his children Landon and Lucas. He also leaves behind his deeply loved blended children, Kendra Emory Jirousek (Filip), with her children Evan Parker and Klara Jaymes, and Kevin Lane Emory (Sara), with his children Melina Jane and Josie Rae, all of whom he embraced as his own and loved without distinction. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, James Gregory Allen, and his brother, Robert Turner Harris.

Jim's greatest wish was that his family would one day be reunited in heaven. He passed from this life with that peace firmly in his heart. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Hilltop Church, 10212 Fayetteville Road, Fuquay-Varina, NC, on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with Dr. Jeff Jones officiating. Visitation will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hilltop Church.