James "Jim" Harris

James "Jim" Harris, 80, of Straits, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Novant Health Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Straits Methodist Church with Pastor Doug Harr officiating. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service. A graveside and committal service will be held at 3:00 pm. on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Fair Grove United Methodist Church in Thomasville, NC.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 26, 2024, his earthly days all spent, our friend Jim slipped from this world’s bonds to find those streets of gold he was so ready to trod. Born the son of Percy C. and Mary Houck Harris, May 25, 1944, Jim’s life touched the hearts and souls of all he met.

After graduation from the first class of Thomasville’s East Davidson High in 1962, Jim headed to Chapel Hill where as a Tar Heel he would study history and political science. His studies were interrupted by his love for his high school sweetheart, Myra Hill. They would marry in June of 1965, and Jim finished his undergraduate degree at Western Carolina.

Teaching was calling, and the couple returned to Davidson County to begin careers at Fair Grove School. There Jim coached winning teams in both football and in girls’ basketball where he once set a two year record of 19-1. Jim earned the position of assistant principal and helped to open E. Lawson Brown Middle School in 1975 where he would remain for nine years until leaving education to open a very successful art and frame shop in downtown Thomasville. He sold that business in 1984 and moved to a spot of land near Beaufort, NC that he called “Paradise.”

He and Myra joined Straits Methodist Church and became active members who worked to support their church and community. They enjoyed their retirement and traveled often both across America and abroad. Those journeys were curtailed however when Bleau, their beloved four-pawed child came into their lives.

An avid golfer, Jim joined Morehead City Country Club and later, the new Beaufort Club where he played three days a week, and shot 78, two strokes better than his 80 years of age within his final month of life.

His friends and family called him “teacher, friend, brother, coach, husband, Christian servant, golfer, businessman, world traveler, mentor, champion, ‘Charlie,’ benefactor, craftsman, role model, Tar Heel, disciple, patriot, and hero.” He was all of these and more. He will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Myra Hill, of Straits; many cousins and dear friends, and faithful companion, Bleau.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Mary Harris.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Straits Methodist Church or Fair Grove United Methodist Church in Thomasville, NC.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.net

Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC.