George Davis Harris

George Harris was as "Tarheel born and Tarheel bred" as anyone could be. A true southern gentleman, he was born in Henderson, NC on December 30, 1931 to Mary and Philip Harris. He was the youngest of six children, three boys and three girls, whom he loved dearly. The advantage of having two older brothers who were pilots was that he learned to fly a plane before he ever got his driver's license. Flying was a very large part of his entire life. While at Henderson High School, he was a drummer in the band. Playing the drums was a passion that he continued all of his life. He was quite happy over the years to sit in with the dance band of the evening and play the drums for a number or two in between his wonderful dancing. George attended his much beloved University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in business, all while holding down several jobs and raising a toddler. He spent two years with the United States Air Force in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Upon leaving, he and his family lived in Greensboro, NC where he became a career accountant and CPA. He moved his family to Knoxville, TN in 1968 as he became the managing partner for A.M. Pullen and Company, CPA firm. George was a member of Cherokee Country Club where he was a regular golfer. He loved his golfing buddies, and was very proud of his hole-in-one on number six on June 13, 2007. He greatly enjoyed attending practice rounds at the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National. He felt great affection for all of those who worked at Cherokee over the years and made him feel so loved and at home, especially during his last years. The Tim Duby Men's Bible Study was an important part of his life for a great many years. He cherished maintaining the prayer list for all of those who were in need of special thoughts and prayers. With his wonderful voice, he would stand up and lead the annual bible study Christmas celebration singing of Silent Night and other traditional carols. With his Beechcraft Bonanza and his Piper Aztec N8PS, he was able to fly many friends and family to some very wonderful places. He particularly loved flying to and spending time at Norman's Cay in the the Bahamas, and later Staniel Cay when Norman's Cay was taken over by Carlos Lehder and his infamous drug cartel. Nothing could come between George and his North Carolina Tarheels, especially on game day. Carolina Blue was his favorite color and was often his color choice in cars and clothing. He was happy that all three of his children and a grandchild attended Carolina and continued the legacy. George was a devoted best friend to all those who loved him, a wonderful and loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be remembered and loved my many. George was preceded in death by by his parents, Snethen Philip J. Harris, Sr. and Mary Brown Harris; sister, Mary Livingston Harris Robertson; brother, Snethen Philip J. Harris, Jr; sister, Fannie Mitchell Harris Crumpler; and sister, Gracia Harris Bobbitt. He is survived by his wife of 44 years Sandra Tucker Harris; brother, John Wiley Harris; daughter and family, Patti and Dr. Joe Googe, Matthew and Ashley Googe, Oliver, Sawyer, and Miller, Elizabeth Googe, Harris Googe; daughter and family, Julie and David Howard, Lindsay and Gillian; son and family, Dave and Allison Harris, Corbett and George; many nieces and nephews and their families. The family would like to thank Arbor Terrace third floor, and Angels Around the Clock for their kind and gracious love and care. A Celebration of Life will be held 12pm on Friday, March 2nd at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200 Kingston Pike, with a receiving of friends to follow.

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George Davis Harris

December 30, 1931 - February 24, 2018