James Edward Harris Sr.

James "Jimmy" Edward Harris, Sr., passed away on Dec. 30, 2020 peacefully at home with his family. He was born on Nov. 6, 1932 in Birmingham, AL to Floyd D. Harris and Florence E. Harris. He is preceded in death by his wife and mother of his children, Michiko K. Harris; wife, Eloise B. Harris. He is survived by his children, Patricia Harris (Wesley Pyle), Cindy Traywick (John), Eddie Harris (Tawana); grandchildren, Jack Pyle, Taylor Harrison, Erik Harris, Jordan Rivers (Jordin); great grandson on the way; sisters, Norma Woods and Libby Chambers.  

Jimmy Harris grew up in Ensley, Alabama. He attended Bush Elementary School in Ensley until his family moved to West End where he transferred to Elyton Elementary. He graduated from West End High School in 1951. He was a known prankster and his sisters, Norma and Libby, cringed to think of what he and his friends were plotting for them next. There was never a dull moment when Jimmy was around.  

In July 1953 he enlisted in the Marine Corps with his childhood friend, Paul Couch. They went through basic training together at Parris Island, North Carolina, but ended up in different platoons. Jimmy served a three-year tour of duty in Japan where he was stationed at Middle Camp Fuji. He specialized in weapons and artillery and was an excellent marksman, despite having lost vision in one eye as a child.

He met his future wife, Michiko Kaitsu, in Yokohama at a GI sponsored dance. She had recently moved there from her home in Sapporo to work for a bank. They fell in love and made plans to get married. At that time, however, the military discouraged their members from marrying Japanese women, so he finished his tour of duty, returned to Birmingham, and in July 1956 he transferred from active duty to the Marine Corps Reserve.  

In September 1956, Jimmy obtained a 60-day tourist VISA so that he could go back to Japan to marry Michiko and bring her home. He arrived in Yokohama on October 24, 1956 and they were married in Yokosuka that same day. He tried, without success, to get permission to bring Michiko back to the States and had to extend his VISA for another 60 days so that he could continue trying. Even still, he was unsuccessful, and had to leave Japan in February 1957 without her.

Thankfully, while Jimmy was in Japan, his mother and Paul, were working on matters through civilian channels back in Alabama. Paul had contacted state congressman, George Huddleston, who was from Birmingham and had served in the Navy, asking him to petition the U.S. Consulate in Japan on Michiko’s behalf. Finally, permission was granted, and Michiko boarded a ship in Yokohama and traveled across the Pacific. She arrived in San Francisco one month later and he was waiting for her there, ready to bring her back to Birmingham.

Jimmy worked for the City of Birmingham from 1957 until he retired in 1991. He began his career as a rodman, then became a surveyor, and over the years advanced to Inspecting Engineer. He attended college on the GI bill in the early 1970s and earned an Associate Degree from Jefferson State Community College.

In his free time, he loved to play and watch sports. In his early years he played baseball and softball, but when his kids were growing up, he focused on their sports. He coached on some of Eddie’s baseball teams and was usually the sole parent attending Patricia’s soccer practices and games. He taught all his kids to play golf, spending many Saturdays playing at Par 3 courses and hitting buckets of balls. Once he had grandkids, he followed their activities as well. He spent many hours watching his grandson, Erik, play football and baseball, his granddaughter, Jordan, cheerleading, and his grandson, Jack, play tuba in marching band.

Jimmy was a diehard Alabama football fan and either went to, watched, or listened to every game. He shared this passion with his longtime friend, Mike Vaccaro, whom he met in 1947 at West End High School. They both loved sports, and as teenagers, had spent many memorable hours watching the Birmingham Barons play at Rickwood Field. In later years, he and Mike attended many A-Day games

together and had long discussions about prospects for the upcoming season. They both had amazing memories for team stats, game scores, and coaching decisions, especially the bad ones. During College Football Bowl season, it was not unusual to see Jimmy sitting in his recliner in front of two TV’s with a radio headset plugged into his one of his ears. He could keep up with multiple games simultaneously.

Jimmy was a shrewd card player, as anyone who challenged him quickly learned. Michiko was equally savvy (some thought she counted cards in her head) and when they partnered together, they were almost unbeatable. Eventually, they were forbidden from being partners. They played Rook, Canasta, and Pinochle, rotating weekends with couples including his sister, Libby, and her husband Charles, his friend, Mike, and his wife, Rozene, and fellow Marine, Paul, and his wife, Ruth. The house was always lively and full of laughter, mixed in with some moaning when someone lost a hand. It was easy to tell whose team was winning by the sounds that emanated from the dining room.

After almost 26 years of marriage, tragically, he lost Michiko to cancer in 1982. Jimmy was heart-broken. He eventually married again in 1990, to Eloise Burch, but was widowed again in 2010 after she succumbed to prolonged illness. He never remarried, but did find friendship and comfort with his caretaker, Wilma Rice, who became like a daughter to him.  

In his later years, Jimmy loved spending time with his friends at the Fultondale Senior Center, which Wilma helped manage. This worked out well for him, as she would take him with her to the center after making his breakfast. He went there on most weekdays and enjoyed playing games, especially cards games. He still possessed his card-playing skills and became known as the “card shark”. After morning games, the seniors would eat lunch, drink coffee, and have dessert. He especially loved the desserts!

Jimmy stayed active despite fracturing a hip in 2010. He started riding a stationary bicycle to rehabilitate his hip and would ride 12 to 18 miles several times per week. Even in his later years when he needed a rolling walker to keep his balance, he could still ride 5-6 miles. He enjoyed riding while watching Dr. Phil or Jeopardy and talking to Wilma. He continued to live mostly independently in his home with the assistance of Wilma and his son and daughters.

Jimmy spent the last month of his life at home surrounded by family and his beloved, Wilma. Many thanks are owed to the nurses and aides at Kindred Hospice and caretaker-Charity Banks. Special thanks are due for his son-in-law, John, his grandson, Taylor, and his devoted daughter, Cindy. They moved in with him so that he could remain in the comfort of his own home. Cindy stayed at his side as much as possible and was with him when he went to be with the Lord.

A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Senior Center of Fultondale, PO Box 699, Fultondale, AL 35068, or the Breaking Chains Restoration and Recovery, 153 Short St. SW, Garden City, AL 35070.