John Harris - Class of 1949

Colonel John Brooks Harris USMC - Class of 1949

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 08/May/2024
97.124.252.171

Colonel John Brooks Harris, USMC Retired, was surrounded by multiple generations of his family when he passed away on May 4, 2024 at the age of 92. Colonel Harris (known by "Brooks" to all) was born in Rockville Centre, NY to Retired LtCol Clinton G. Harris, US Army, and his wife, Meta. He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia Parrish Harris, with whom he very recently celebrated 36 years of marriage. Brooks leaves behind three children, Michael D. Harris, Kathleen Anne Keene and her husband Richard, and Karen Elizabeth Robbins. He is also survived by two stepchildren, Catharine Staley and her husband Fred, and Kyle Parrish and his wife Laura. He loved and was proud of his eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Brooks graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1949. After a couple of overly enjoyable years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in February 1952. He was commissioned in September 1952 and retired in 1983. He finished his degree at Old Dominion University Summa Cum Laude in 1972. In the Marines, Brooks served with the 1st Marine Division in Korea and later with the 3rd Marine Amphibious Force in Vietnam. His awards include the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and a gold star in lieu of a second award, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and other service medals. His service includes a tour as CO of Marine Barracks, US Submarine Base, New London, CT, Executive Officer of the 12th Marine Regiment, and Commanding Officer of the 11th Marine Regiment. His last assignment was as Chief of Staff, Landing Force Training Command, Little Creek, VA. He was a Life Member of the Marine Corps League, Tar Heel Detachment.
After retiring from the Marines, Brooks focused on his "softer side." In 1985, he graduated from Johnson and Wales University Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Culinary Arts. He put this to good use as a caterer in Virginia Beach, providing "food for fifty" at many church-related and local community events. He also tried his hand at painting and became a stained-glass artist. Many are happy to have pieces of his glass by which to remember him.
Colonel Harris had been very active in the Episcopal Church throughout his life and was an active member of the Cursillo community. At his death, he was attending Christ the King (CTK) Lutheran Church with his family members in Cary, but he reminded us all that he was an Episcopalian right up until the end. Before moving to CTK, Brooks was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary and had been a thirty-two year member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, VA where he had served on the vestry and for several years as treasurer. He was a charter resident of SearStone CCRC in Cary.
A memorial service will be held in the next few weeks. Arrangements will be posted here. In lieu of flowers, Colonel Harris requested that memorial donations be made to Lee's Friends, https://leesfriends.org/ a cancer support organization in Norfolk, VA in which he had been very active.