Obituary for JOHN THEODORE "TED" HARRIS
John Theodore Harris was age 77 when the Lord whispered his name, softly and tenderly calling him home. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio on May 23, 1945. John Theodore or “Teddy" as he was lovingly known was the tenth of eleven children. He grew up around lots of brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and members of Emmanuel Church of God in Christ.
Ted graduated from Wintersville High School in 1963. While in high school, Ted played football and basketball. He also ran track. After high school, Ted entered the Ohio State University before entering the Air Force during a time of conflict. With so much to contemplate, his family was always at the forefront of his mind, and he called from all over the world whenever he could.
While in the Air Force, Ted became proficient at fixing radios for the service. He was honorably discharged in 1969. He went back to OSU. He graduated with a degree in Political Science; Kappa Alpha Psi; made lots of life-long friends; married Cynthia Zachary and had the first of two amazing sons, Ty Jabari Harris.
It became apparent that Ted had a calling on his life. He was called to service. In his professional life, he helped people with housing for many years. When Teddy said “Yes Lord”, he meant it with his whole heart. He joined the Mount Zion Church of God in Christ in Columbus at his Father’s suggestion and began putting his faith in action through service. Ted single-handedly started the Mount Zion Transportation Ministry, getting up early driving across town because he could make a difference. Teddy was a deacon at Mount Zion and of course he sang in the choir. As Ted turned his focus to the Lord, the Lord blessed him immensely. In 1986 Ted united with Mary Davis. Their union was blessed with another
amazing son, Emanuel Christopher Harris.
When Ted joined First Church of God, he did not skip a beat, whether it was Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study; or being a Man of Valor; tutoring k-12 students, working with the Media Ministry; or acting in the “Through His Eyes” Drama Ministry; delivering pantry baskets to seniors; or singing on the Wednesday Praise Team, Teddy served God and humanity.
To know Ted was to know a visionary, a dreamer, and a doer. He did not just sit back and wait for his ship to come in. He invested; he planted; he mentored; he marketed; he coached; he worked the plan; he loved life to the end. We can never share the totality of John Theodore Harris’ impact or footprint. He had a million-dollar smile. If he could, he would; he never said no.
Ted was preceded in Glory by his parents, Emanuel Harris and Rosa Gainous Harris; wife, Mary Davis Harris; sisters, Elvira Shropshire, Mary Lue Brown, Martha Ellis, Louise Carter, and Rosa Price; brothers, Henry Tyrone Harris, Moses Harris, and James Harris.
Ted is survived by his loving sons, Ty Harris, and Emanuel (Leah) Harris, both from Columbus Ohio; grandchildren, Devon Harris, Luna Harris; great grandchild, Braxton Harris; sister, Beatrice Bridges; brother, Emanuel Harris Jr; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, church families, and a great host of dedicated forever friends.
Ted graduated from Wintersville High School in 1963. While in high school, Ted played football and basketball. He also ran track. After high school, Ted entered the Ohio State University before entering the Air Force during a time of conflict. With so much to contemplate, his family was always at the forefront of his mind, and he called from all over the world whenever he could.
While in the Air Force, Ted became proficient at fixing radios for the service. He was honorably discharged in 1969. He went back to OSU. He graduated with a degree in Political Science; Kappa Alpha Psi; made lots of life-long friends; married Cynthia Zachary and had the first of two amazing sons, Ty Jabari Harris.
It became apparent that Ted had a calling on his life. He was called to service. In his professional life, he helped people with housing for many years. When Teddy said “Yes Lord”, he meant it with his whole heart. He joined the Mount Zion Church of God in Christ in Columbus at his Father’s suggestion and began putting his faith in action through service. Ted single-handedly started the Mount Zion Transportation Ministry, getting up early driving across town because he could make a difference. Teddy was a deacon at Mount Zion and of course he sang in the choir. As Ted turned his focus to the Lord, the Lord blessed him immensely. In 1986 Ted united with Mary Davis. Their union was blessed with another
amazing son, Emanuel Christopher Harris.
When Ted joined First Church of God, he did not skip a beat, whether it was Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study; or being a Man of Valor; tutoring k-12 students, working with the Media Ministry; or acting in the “Through His Eyes” Drama Ministry; delivering pantry baskets to seniors; or singing on the Wednesday Praise Team, Teddy served God and humanity.
To know Ted was to know a visionary, a dreamer, and a doer. He did not just sit back and wait for his ship to come in. He invested; he planted; he mentored; he marketed; he coached; he worked the plan; he loved life to the end. We can never share the totality of John Theodore Harris’ impact or footprint. He had a million-dollar smile. If he could, he would; he never said no.
Ted was preceded in Glory by his parents, Emanuel Harris and Rosa Gainous Harris; wife, Mary Davis Harris; sisters, Elvira Shropshire, Mary Lue Brown, Martha Ellis, Louise Carter, and Rosa Price; brothers, Henry Tyrone Harris, Moses Harris, and James Harris.
Ted is survived by his loving sons, Ty Harris, and Emanuel (Leah) Harris, both from Columbus Ohio; grandchildren, Devon Harris, Luna Harris; great grandchild, Braxton Harris; sister, Beatrice Bridges; brother, Emanuel Harris Jr; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, church families, and a great host of dedicated forever friends.