Windell Harris

Harris ~ Windell Rubert Harris transitioned from labor to reward May 7, 2022.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin C. Harris and Ruth S. Harris; brother, Marvin C. Harris II; sister, Thelma W. Johnson.  Born September 9, 1953, he lived in Jacksonville, Florida with his family where he enjoyed raising dogs, riding bicycles, horses and motorcycles and anything that had to do with the outdoors.

An active member of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Windell served diligently on the McNeil Usher Board until his health declined.  He also served briefly in the choir under the direction of Minister of Music, O’Dell Brown.  Windell loved singing praises to the Lord and together with his mother and sister Sheryl, he participated in various musical recitals throughout the city.  His favorite solo “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”  Because of Windell’s love of music, he also briefly took guitar lessons.

Windell had a boisterous personality and never met a stranger.  He formed lasting bonds with people and was known to ride his bicycle to visit family and friends across the city.  Because of his love of people and the fact that he made friends everywhere he went, it was the norm for Windell to show up on someone’s doorstep unannounced to visit.  All welcomed him with open arms and love.

As Windell was growing up, he worked alongside his father and brothers with the Harris Fuel Oil Company and the Harris School Bus Company; as he matured, he helped alongside his brother-in-law, the late Jimmie Johnson, with the William M. Raines football teams and later the Coaches Athletics Store located on Moncrief Road.  In his later years, through ARC, Windell was gainfully employed in many different arenas such as the Jacksonville Humane Society and the Recycle Department at the University of North Florida.

Windell believed in structure and was a very neat person.  He was a connoisseur of delicious foods and loved his cologne collection.  But aside from all of these things, he was a family man.  Windell was always aware of things going on with his siblings, infused in their lives and accomplishments.  With great pride, he was a constant encourager, complimenting beauty and giving advice to his nephews and nieces; his mantra was always to, “keep up the good work and keep the faith.”  He never missed an opportunity to share a word from his heart.

He leaves to cherish his memory his sister and faithful caregiver, Sheryl H. LaRosa; brothers, Leon C. Harris (Renee) and Derrick V. Harris; nephews and nieces, LaVonne Frison (Lawrence), Janice Johnson, Marvin Harris III, Leon Harris II (Tabitha), Jewel Johnson, Lisa Michelle Wilson (Damon), Monique LaRosa, LeCelia Harris, Derrick Harris II, and Troy Harris; cousins, Barbara Townsend, Shirley Pollard, Veda Stukes, Jennifer Kennedy, Melba Pride, Clifford Harris, Joann Tirado and James Harris II; a host of second cousins, grand nephews, grandnieces and friends.

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