John H. Harris, Jr.

John Henry Harris Jr., 89, of Augusta, Georgia, passed away July 17, 2026. He was the beloved husband of the late Susan Harris who passed away December 28, 2019.

Johnny was born November 18, 1936 in Greenville, South Carolina to his parents John Henry Harris Sr. and Norma Gray. After his father’s passing when he was 6 years old, he was eventually raised by his uncle and aunt, Louie and Eliza Harris.

Born as John, known as Johnny to his friends and family, and Papa John to his grandchildren, he was beloved by all who met him. He was raised in Augusta, Georgia, graduating from Richmond Academy in 1954. He then attended The University of Georgia, class of 1958, where he was a member of the Chi Psi Fraternity. From 1954 to 1962, he served in the US Navy Reserves.

After college, he raised two beautiful daughters with their mother, Barbara Covington, in Marietta, GA, before eventually moving back to the Augusta area to be closer to his many relatives.

Johnny, with his impeccable style and great head of hair, always had somewhere to be and was always surrounding himself with friends and family. He was known to attend services and Sunday School at Trinity on the Hill and Georgia Alumni Events. He was a member of the Martinez/Evans Rotary Club, Sons of the American Revolution William Few Chapter, and the Elks Lodge where he was a member for 69 years. He made a career selling insurance and continued to do so until he was 86 years old, whether it was out of passion or because he just loved talking to people. In his downtime, he would meet his friends for breakfast, attend Friday happy hour at Calvert’s, spend quality time with his cherished cousins, walk his dogs, and cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs.

Nothing was more important to Johnny than his family. He was a man of strength, faith, playful sense of humor, and fierce love that left a lasting impression on those who knew him. In his rare alone time, he enjoyed listening to Elvis and watching westerns.

Johnny was predeceased by his wife, Susan Harris.

He is survived by his daughters: Rebecca Muller (Carl) and Julie Kenny; step-son: Kevin Dorey (Annette); his grandchildren: KJ Kenny, Ashley Jones (Payton), Kirby Casciato (Colin), and Susan Watts (William); and his great grandchildren: Keegan, Chloe, Logan, Alex, Ethan, Michael, and Olivia.

The family will receive friends for a visitation on Friday, July 24th, 2026, at 10 A.M., followed by a funeral service led by Reverend Tony Gatter at 11 A.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors at 214 Davis Road, Augusta, Georgia 30907. Friends may follow the family to the burial following the service at Westover Memorial Park, 2601 Wheeler Road, Augusta, Georgia 30909. Please wear red and black to honor Johnny.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity on the Hill Methodist Church, 1330 Monte Sano Avenue, Augusta, Georgia 30904.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com