In loving memory of John Rexal Harris, II - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

JOHN REXAL HARRIS, II, USAF Major, Ret., age 66, of Biloxi, Mississippi, passed from this life on Thursday, March 8, 2012. John was born November 7, 1945 in Jackson, MS to John R. Harris, Sr. and Melba Watkins Harris. A graduate of USM, John was an adoring and admired husband, father, brother, grandfather, godfather, and uncle. In addition to these, John was a renaissance southern gentleman in every sense of the words. He was a gifted wordsmith, a talented singer, a USAF C-130 navigator and Hurricane Hunter, a Sig Ep fraternity brother, a defender of right, a hero, an avid photographer, a computer systems analyst and “Mad Techie,” an instructor, a mentor, co-founder of the “Harris Halfway House,” an enthusiastic cook, a punster, an amateur architect, a theater lover, a sports fan, a recital goer, a “do-it-yourselfer,” a world traveler, and the list goes on. In his life, John made friends wherever he went, both through real world travels and online. His career moved him to San Antonio, TX; Sacramento, CA; Abilene, TX; Little Rock, AR; Hattiesburg, MS; Philippines; Ocean Springs, MS; Guam; Troy, IL; Fort Walton Beach, FL; and Annapolis, MD. John (“Johnny” to loved ones) rejoins his beloved wife of 40 years, Charlene, son-in-law, Chip Layson, brother, David, and his parents. He is sorely missed by daughters Kerri Anne Thompson of Ocean Springs, MS and Heather Layson (Derek) Brown, of Winter Park, FL; his grandchildren Rhyan Elizabeth Thompson, Miles Derek Brown, Zed Clark Layson V, Kyle Justin Brown, Skylar Elysse Thompson, Caroline Grace Layson, and Harris McIntyre Layson; his sister, Marcia Belinda (Ronald) Gilstrap of Philadelphia, MS: his brother, William Paul (Jackie) Harris of Bloomington, IL; his sister-in-law Kathleen (Bob) Blankenship of Tyler, TX; his brother-in-law David (Celeste) Glass of Slidell, LA; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. John’s extended family included Ron and Ginnie Spock, and their sons, Todd and Ross of Niceville, FL; Paul and Mary Schabacker and their daughters, Mary Beth, Gracie and Katie of Birmingham, AL; and Al and Marie Jacquet of Biloxi, MS. Remembrances can be made in his name to the American Heart Association, www.AmericanHeart.org or 1101 Northcase parkway, Marietta, GA 30067. Remembrances can be made in his name to the American Heart Association, www.AmericanHeart.org or 1101 Northcase parkway, Marietta, GA 30067.