James Harris
Alton | Save
James Edward "Jim" Harris, 72, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at Integrity Healthcare of Alton.
Born in Memphis, TN on May 20, 1945, he was the first child of Archie Bowling Harris and Ezra Harris.
Jim was an entrepreneur across many ventures and worked as a tech consultant until his retirement in 2016.
An all-star football champion for the Centralia Orphans in the early 1960's, Jim was loved by his coaches and dreaded by opposing teams. In college and beyond, he devoted himself to his studies and to his community, being instrumental in the desegregation process of the University of IL @ Champaign/Urbana in the mid 1960's and confronting housing discrimination of interracial couples. He also dedicated himself to enjoying life. His closest friends speak of his bravery and brilliance, his bright mind and smile, his love of music and family, and of course his fearless quest fora a better life for himself, his family, and his world.
Jim is survived by eight children, James Hasan (Sanah Khan), Joy (Scott) Eickmeier, Jeremy Harris, Nathan Nelson, Dreathus Harris, Sihaya Harris, Belle Harris, and Hosea Harris; two siblings, Ezra Archie Harris and Joyce Smith; several grandchildren; former wife or 18 years and mother of his five youngest children, Dreatha Jackson; and his significant other, Marcia Seegers.
His parents; other siblings; and beloved wife of 13 years and mother to his oldest three children, Jeanne Frances (Tabor) Harris preceded in death.
In accordance Jim requested cremation with no services, however, a celebration of his life will be held on his birthday in May.
Mark's Mortuary
