September 22, 1941 – May 13, 2024
Daniel “Dan” Wayne Harris, passed away peacefully at his home in Ypsilanti, on Monday, May 13, 2024, after a long health battle.
Dan was born on September 22, 1941, in Kingsport, Tennessee to parents, Theodore and Mary (Cook) Harris. He grew up alongside his siblings, Richard and Sharon, and later welcomed his half-brother, William (Dee) McCracken, to the family.
After graduating from high school, he attended Hiawassee College in Tennessee for two
years where he met his first wife Sarah (Balliet). They moved to Michigan to be nearer Sarah’s family after their firstborn son, Timothy “Tim” Harris, developed lung problems where they lived in ‘Coal Country’. After moving to Michigan, Dan worked as a Local Pastor in various locations for the United Methodist Church while attending College at Eastern Michigan University. They also welcomed their second son, William “Bill” Harris.
After a back injury, Dan resigned from his Pastorate duties and eventually worked as a manager at various gas stations until securing a full-time position with Ford Motor Co., Rawsonville Plant, where he worked for 16 years. Dan returned to ministry as a part-time Local Pastor while maintaining his position at Ford Motor until health issues forced him to retire due to ongoing health problems. He continued in the part-time ministry until 2003. Dan served at the following churches; Millville: Stockbridge UMC, East Raisinville UMC, and Salem Grove: Grass Lake UMC.
In 1975, he was introduced through mutual friends to his second wife, Carolyn (Turner) White, and her two children, John and Mary. They married in June of 1976.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore “Ted” Harris and Mary “Inez” McCracken; his brother, Richard Harris; and his granddaughter, Courtney Harris.
Dan is survived by his wife, Carolyn Harris; his children, Tim (Valorie) Harris and Bill (Shannon) Harris; his stepchildren, John White and Mary (Dan) Skrbina; his seven grandchildren, Marquita Harris, Chase Harris, Dillon (Sarah) Harris, Dakota Harris, Matthew Skrbina, and Katie Skrbina; his two great-grandchildren, Amirah Harris and Arlo Harris; and his siblings, Sharon Nickerson-Harris and William D. McCracken.
Per Dan’s wishes, private cremation has taken place. There is no service planned at this time. Condolences can be shared at www.niefuneralhomes.com/
Last Updated on May 17, 2024