H. David Harris
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H. David Harris, 76, passed away on April 19, 2020 at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN. He was born on December 9,1943 in Marietta, GA to the late Samuel King Harris, Jr. and Kathryn Acker Harris.
Dave spent his earliest years in Marietta, GA then Easley, SC where he graduated from Easley High School in 1961. Dave attended Georgia Tech until his college career was interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the U.S. Army Special Forces Green Berets. He was deployed to Vietnam on February 1, 1968. Dave was a sergeant in the First Signal Brigade as a communications liaison with the Marines at Khe Sahn during the siege. He ETS'd out of the Army in September 1968.
While Dave was training at Fort Bragg, NC, he and Ramona Ann Brown married on September 9, 1967. Their son, David Christian Harris, was born on June 23, 1971. Dave and Mona were married for 27 years, until Mona passed away in May, 1995 from cancer.
After his military service, Dave completed his BBA Degree in Accounting at Georgia State University in 1972, while working in accounting for BP Oil.
In his 50-year accounting career, Dave moved up in the trucking industry, serving as Controller, Treasurer, and Chief Financial officer for several large companies including Watkins Motor Lines and Transus Motor Freight. He later worked for Reynolds Plantation.
Dave met Elaine Drulard of Atlanta, GA on Christmas Eve 1995 and they married January 25, 1997. He and Elaine purchased a home on Lake Oconee, GA. Dave and Elaine served with numerous civic organizations in the Buckhead, GA and Madison, GA communities. His and Elaine's favorite was the Oconee Performing Arts Society that brought cultural events to the Morgan and surrounding counties area. Dave and Elaine loved their Australian Shepherds, Howie, Maxine, and Drewbie.
Later, Dave and Elaine sold the Lake Oconee property and moved to Loudon, TN on the Little Tennessee River where they also participated in social and civic organizations, especially those veteran oriented. Dave was a Director of the First Signal Brigade Reunion Organization and he and Elaine helped organize and attended several bi-annual reunions.
Dave is survived by Elaine Drulard Harris, his wife of 23 years; a son, David Christian Harris and his wife, Rebecca Heidt of Guyton, GA; seven grandchildren, Anna Lee, Christian, Charlie, Melina, Ella, Rebekah Rae and Isabelle Heidt-Harris; a sister, Kathryn Harris Ellis and her husband Vince, of Burlington, NC; two brothers, Jon Michael Harris, Sr. of Decatur, GA and Sam Harris and his wife, Karen of Apex, NC.; seven nieces and nephews; and brothers-in-laws and wives, Mark and Doris Drulard, David and Jennifer Drulard of Loudon TN, Susan and David DeGroote of Camden, MI, and Ned and Carol Drulard of Marietta, GA.
The family owes special thanks to the Drulard brothers (and their wives) for all their help during Dave's illness. They arose at all hours to help with Dave's care.
We owe eternal gratitude to Elaine. She was a special addition to Dave's life and brought happiness and support to him. Dave was blessed to have many who loved him dearly throughout his life.
Dave requested a military interment service, which is currently scheduled to take place on July 17th, 2020 at 9:30am, at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E. Governor John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation at www.garysinisefoundation.org/veterans/donate.