Percy Elmer Harris

Percy Elmer Harris, 97, of Hahira, Georgia, passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, following a decline in his health. Born September 1, 1923, to Percy Joseph and Olive Heddens Harris, in the house he was raised in on Hollywood Avenue in Winter Park, Florida. He attended Winter Park Elementary and Winter Park High School. After high school Mr. Harris worked at Orange Press. From 1942 to 1946 he served 3 years and four months in the U.S. Navy, as a gunner, working on the supply ship, The U.S.S. Gandy in the Mediterranean Sea.
In 1949 Mr. Harris married Gretchen Schwartz and they were married for 51 years until her death on May 3, 2001. For 12 years Mr. Harris worked with Bob Nidy Construction. And then worked for Rollins College in the Physical Plant, retiring from there in 1987. He loved his summer home in Boone, North Carolina and was happy helping his daughter Leslie, at her therapeutic riding center, Jacobs’ Ladder, in Hahira. He enjoyed seeing his grandchildren, Brian and Daniel Jacobs growing up and lived to see three great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Avery, and Chloe. In 2013, Mr. Harris moved from Florida to live with his daughter, Leslie and her husband, Glenn in Hahira.
Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Leslie A., and Glenn Jacobs of Hahira; grandchildren, Brian and Melissa Jacobs of Niceville, Florida, Daniel, and Whitney Jacobs of Clyattville; grandchildren, Gabriel Jacobs, Avery Jacobs, Chloe Jacobs; his sister, Olive Mae Babbitt, Oviedo, Florida.
No services are scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Home Instead, Bethany Hospice, or to Jacobs’ Ladder in memory of Mr. Harris. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.