John Warren Harris, Sr.

John Warren Harris, Sr. 83 passed away July 4, 2022. He was born to Willie Garner Harris and Mary Willia Lowe Harris on October 8, 1938, in Norfolk Virginia. John attended James Monroe Elementary School, Blair Jr. High School and graduated from Maury High School in 1957.

My father‘s obituary is such a difficult task to take but it allows one to express the love and devotion received and shared with one’s father. Dad was unique in his uncanny business entrepreneur skills and wisdom. He always said that he had a great ability to listen to others and learn. Dad delivered the morning Virginian Pilot from the age of 11 to 18, this was his ideal job and it allowed him time to participate in after school activities including sports where he played in the Boys Club recreation leagues and both basketball and baseball at Maury High School. This job taught him how to handle money, deal with all types of people and most importantly to be responsible. Dad felt so lucky to have four very close Aunts that looked over the four boys and helped them in many ways. Annie, Helen, Ivy and Pat were his father’s sisters that loved them very much. Dad and his family were members of the Park Place Baptist Church where he attended Sunday school, sang in the choir and played competitive softball in the church league.

He loved to share the knowledge that he developed over time with others and would often provide advice to those that were seeking his wisdom and vision. He was very generous and preferred not to be recognized for his help.

John married after high school and worked at VEPCO as a lineman and at Met Life until his father-in-law Milton Brinegar asked him to help run his communications business during his sickness. At the time they were operating out of a metal building on Fairfax Ave., in Norfolk’s Atlantic City area near the Norfolk General Hospital. They were able to move their location as they grew to 3301 Colley Ave. Thus began his many years in the communications field growing from a small Motorola dealer repair shop to a network of 5 states with building towers, installing, and maintaining the infrastructure of what we know today with our smartphones and internet services. He also was involved in many real estate holdings often finding multiple uses from one parcel as well as giving back to the community with his generous donations such as “Sandy Run Park” in Kitty Hawk, NC., Terrell County baseball field and Winfall NC community park.

He was a member of the Harbor Club, Norfolk Boat Club, Mallory Country Club, Harbor Front Kiwanis Club where he and many good friends helped raise money for our community such as the Harbor Front Kiwanis Soccer Classic while celebrating great friendships.

John was predeceased by his parents, his brother Charles Wade Harris, Sr., and son William Wright Waters. Left to cherish his memories are his brothers; Willie Garner Harris, Jr. (Linda), and Jimmy Benjamin Harris (Renee), his wife Patricia Cramer Harris, daughter Donna Lee Harris White (Jay), son John Warren Harris, Jr (Debbie), daughter Tami Waters Buisson (Steve), grandchildren; Jay Warren White (Alicia), Caitlin White Kubit (Jacob), Alexandra and William Buisson, John (Trey) Warren Harris, III., and five great grandchildren as well as many extended family and friends.

Services will be held at Old Donation Episcopal Church, 4449 N. Witchduck Rd in Virginia Beach VA on Thursday July 14, 2022, at 3PM with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers please donate in his honor to alz.org. or bgca.org Full Obit at www.simplycremationonline.com