Jay Harris

Jay was born on October 7, 1933 to George and Anna (Lee) Harris. He was raised alongside his three brothers and three sisters; Maynard, Chuck, Leslie, Jean, Mary and Mae. Jay was raised on a farm in Schoolcraft and attended a one room schoolhouse. He went on to Schoolcraft High School, graduating in 1952.

Jay Harris was a hardworking man who accomplished much of which to be proud, there was no greater joy to be found in the life of Jay Harris than when he was gathered with his family and friends. He was never one to worry about accumulating wealth or possessions, rather, his focus was on providing for his wife and children first and foremost.He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Life really came full circle for Jay when he became a father and grandfather. Life will never be the same without him here, but his timeless legacy will be carried on by those who follow in his footsteps.

Shortly after high school, Jay enlisted in the Army. On a Saturday night, Jay and his buddies went to Leonidas Dance Hall where he met Dessie Gage. On their first date Jay asked her to marry him. Dessie replied, "I don't know you or your family, let's take it one day at a time." 2 1/2 years later, Jay and Dessie became husband and wife on April 7, 1957 and they settled in Vicksburg.

Jay attended a barbering college in Flint. He went to work at a barber shop in Schoolcraft which he later bought. Jay's Barber Shop was next to a fire station and he soon became a fireman. Jay was a member of the American Legion and an active service officer, assisting many veterans to get their pensions. With a deep love for his community, Jay served as a judge for Kalamazoo County and was a justice of the peace. He married several couples through the years in his home and in the back room of the barber shop. At one of the weddings, a little neighbor girl collected wildflowers along her way to the wedding and presented them to the bride, only to discover the bride to be was allergic to the flowers. He was also the constable of Schoolcraft! In 1979 Jay retired from cutting hair and bought his own semi that he used to haul grain along with his son Jerry.

Jay was involved in the lives of his sons, training them to be people of good character from the time they were young. Jay taught them what it means to work hard and to live based on sound moral principles.

Throughout the majority of his life Jay was very active. He enjoyed golfing and had his own bowling team. When it came to sports Jay was a Detroit Lions fan. He loved snowmobiling and even started his own club. During one winter season in the late sixties he recruited a group of 16 people together who rode their sleds from the Indiana border all the way up Michigan to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula. It was a trip to remember as the state police allowed two people, one of which was Jay, to ride their snowmobiles over the Mackinaw Bridge while the rest had to be trailered. An avid outdoorsman, he loved deer and pheasant hunting as well as looking for mushrooms. Jay enjoyed fishing and camping, and over the years he took the kids on numerous memorable trips in the pop up camper, and later bought a motor home. Those trips included going to his brother's ranch in British Columbia! They had a huge garden every summer and Jay canned his own stewed tomatoes. Jay also loved to make homemade ice cream and wine.

Jay had a love for bright colors. Dessie recalls one time she was at work and he surprised her by buying new kitchen counter tops. What color do you think they were? Bright orange of course! Everyone knew his favorite color was red. In fact, everything was red, especially where his cars were concerned. If he ever had to paint anything, one could be assured that it would also be red!

Everything in Jay’s life was better when they were experiences that he shared with his family and friends. His two granddaughters, Megan and Kristen, were the center of his world from the moment they were each born. Anytime they were near Jay stopped whatever he was doing and gave them his full attention. He also loved family gatherings and looked forward to the holidays since it was a time for everyone to be together and enjoy plenty of laughter, love and good food.

Described as a natural leader, a devoted worker, and a man of great honor, Jay Harris was above all a family man. He lived a life that was an inspiration to those around him, and it was through the example he set that his sons became the men of great character who made him so very proud. Jay was a man who deeply loved his country and was proud to serve in the military as well. Even when his health began to decline, his strength and zest for life remained intact. Jay will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Jay A. Harris, of Schoolcraft, passed away on June 21, 2014. Jay’s family includes his wife, Dessie; sons, Jerry & Steve Harris; and his granddaughters, Megan & Kristen Harris. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main Street (649-1697) with burial following at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com for complete information.