Gordon Freeman Harris

Gordon Freeman Harris quietly slipped from his earthly body in the early hours of Tuesday, April 21, and is now soaring above his beloved mountains with his many friends and family who have passed before him.

Gordon was born in Durham, NC, on February 3rd,1933, the last child of Charles A. Harris and Jackie Taylor Harris. As a young boy he enjoyed playing with his friends on Gurley Street in central Durham, and at 12 years of age got his first job delivering newspapers. He attended Durham City Schools and mowed lawns in the summer for extra money. In the summer of 1951, the Durham heat was so intense he turned off his mower and joined the Army. After bootcamp at Fort Benning, he left for Korea where he was assigned to the 2nd Division, 9th Regiment, 3rd Battalion where he received the Silver Star for Bravery and a Purple Heart after being wounded on Heartbreak Ridge.

In 1961 Gordon was raised as a Free Mason in Durham, NC. After moving to Boone he joined Snow Lodge 363; and under the guidance of Bill Fulmer, became a member of the Scottish Rite.
He married the love of his life, Josephine, in 1962, and they raised their family in Northern Durham in a family neighborhood where lifelong memories and home telephone numbers are still remembered. They enjoyed many trips to Cherry Grove Beach and the mountains of NC with special recollections of Tweetsie Railroad, Land of Oz, and Horn in the West.

Gordon acquired the nickname “Flash,” when he worked as a clerk at the US Post Office in Durham and on Duke Campus. At Duke, he made sure 7-foot-tall basketball players didn’t get mailboxes next to the floor. He retired in 1989 after 32 years of service.

Along with Dr. John Curtiss, he was instrumental in spearheading the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department in 1971, and served as a firefighter when the Department was officially placed in service. He was also involved in the formation of the Carrington Community Education Center to offer older adults access to education for job enhancement. This program was a precursor to the State’s Community Education Program. In his downtime, Gordon enjoyed tooling with his CB radio where his handle was “Sidewinder” from the tactical flashlight he used in the Army.

Gordon loved his family with all his being and was especially proud of his grandchildren. He would light up when he heard their voices on the phone or during the many visits over the holidays. His other love language was a good meal and he enjoyed many over his lifetime. He was especially fond of the extra large oysters Jim provided for him at Mike’s Inland Seafood and the incredibly delicious Meat plus Three prepared by Tim Knight of The Social and former Knights on Main, along with memories of Lily’s Hot Dogs at Jimmie’s Grill in Durham and drives to Bob’s Barbeque in Creedmoor, NC. His Wednesday lunch bunch with Tim Harris and the late H.C. Moretz was especially dear to him.

Gordon never met a stranger. He had a contagious smile and was quick to laugh loudly and full of emotion. He enjoyed singing music of all genres, dancing, App State Football, Carolina Basketball, and the Atlanta Braves. His love of animals was immense. He would call out to owls in the trees and stop to remove a turtle from the roadway. He loved his Country and the rich history that created it.

Along with his parents, Gordon was preceded in death by his sisters, Blanche Morris, Mildred Pecora, Evelyn Recktanwald, Mae Harris, and Susan Canton; and brothers Warren Harris and William Harris.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Josephine Covington Harris, of Boone; his daughter, Julie Harris Farthing and husband Rod of Banner Elk, his son, Jamie and husband, Mark of NYC; and his son John and wife Jessica of Boone; his grandchildren, Rachel Jones (Josh), Jessie Condon (Eoin), Kaity Farthing, Brandon Farthing, James Bency (JB) Harris and John Waylon Harris. He is also survived by three great-grandaughters, Parker Jones, Maeve and Fiadh Condon; brother, Leon Recktenwald, his sister-in-law Marcia Blake (John), as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank the many helpful workers at Home Instead, the Staff at Foley Center, and his nephew, Steve Harris and friend, Tim Harris for all their love and support during the past 9 months.

A celebration of life service will take place on Friday, April 24th at 2 pm, at High Country United Church of Christ, 8233 Hwy 421 N., Vilas, NC. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post #130 and Masonic Final Rights will be provided by Snow Lodge #363.

Flowers are acceptable or donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90 at P.O Box 2914, Boone, NC 28607or Watauga American Legion Post 130 at 135 Bear Trail, Boone, NC 28607.
Online condolences may be made at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin and Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Harris family.

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