Mr. John E. Harris, 91, of Columbia, SC, died Sunday, August 18, 2024. He was born to the late Eulas Harris and the late Lella Payne Harris on September 2, 1932 in Palmersville, TN.

John graduated from Palmersville High School in 1950. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served honorably in the Korean War. He was a longtime member of Lugoff Church of God where he served as a Sunday School teacher and Council Member. He loved children and was known to them as "Papa John" or "Candy Man". He was a general contractor and founded his own business, Harris Home Improvement. He was a kind and loving man and never met a stranger. He will be deeply missed by all his friends and family.

John is survived by his wife of 29 years, Rebecca Hicks Harris; son, John Mark Harris (Brenda); daughters, Kathy Almogabar (Richard) and Carolyn Hightower (Chris); grandchildren, Herbie Harris (Stacy), Correy Harris (Taylor), Kimberly Negron (Christian), Dustin Guenther (Amanda), Kera Hightower, Christian Hightower (Anna), and Ciera Robertson; and great grandchildren, Madison Tomas (Blain), Blythe Harris, Caleb Harris, Cameron Harris, Aiden Tidd, Gubilee Guenther, Trey Telfer, Gentry Guenther, Samuel Hightower, and Eloise Hightower.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Hilda Smethwick, Gerald Harris, Retha Kelley, and Rex Harris.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Bread of Life Orphanage through Lugoff Church of God.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 23, at 10:30 o'clock at Lugoff Church of God, 1042 US-1, Lugoff, SC. The family will receive guests beginning at 9:30 o'clock at the church. Burial will follow the service at 12:00 o'clock at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.