Mr. Harris retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service. He then worked for the Federal Civil Service, Department of Army, for eight years. More recently, he was an IT manager and retired from BJC Healthcare, St. Louis, MO, after 15 years of service. He was a charter member of the Taylorville Christian Church, and charter member and past President of the Scott Community Lions Club. Jack was also an Eagle Scout. His true passion, however, was scuba diving. He met so many wonderful and dear friends in his 22-year span as a diver. Jack was a Professional Dive Instructor who had over 5,000 dives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles W. Harris and Alice, nee Dixon, Blanken; his step-mother, Zella, nee Lovelace, Harris; a step-brother, Jerry Jordan; a step-sister, Tina Small; and two half-sisters, Debbie Lavin and Peggy VanSchepen.
Surviving are his wife of over 50 years, Peggy, nee Sujkowski, Harris, whom he married on September 4, 1971, in Bay City, MI; two sons, Jon Harris and Jeffrey (Andrea) Harris; a half-brother, Mike Blanken; a half-sister, Celeste Blanken; six grandchildren, Logan, Fallon, Olivia, Ben, Marshall, and Andy; and many cousins and friends.
Memorials may be made to Mermet Springs Scholarship Fund, Mermet Springs, P.O. Box 1347, Vienna, IL 62995, or at Jack Harris Scholarship Fund | mermetsprings. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2022, and from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2022, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2022, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Kenneth York officiating.
Burial with military honors will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.