John Balle Harris Jr.

He was born on August 20, 1929 at Yadkin Hospital in Albemarle, NC to Annie Rae Reeder Harris and John B. Harris.

Jack graduated from Albemarle High School in June, 1947 and was recognized as the “The Most Outstanding Student in his Class”. He matriculated to Duke University and signed up to study medicine, satisfying his mother’s wishes. He met his match. After two years he changed to Economics and received his degree on time. He was not “The Most Outstanding Student in his Class” in 1951!! He spent his time overcoming the pre-med fiasco and trying to graduate. He was a KA and played intramural football. His education at Duke left a lot to be desired, but it turned out to be an outstanding success. He met the love of his life, Ann Elizabeth LeStourgeon. They were married on August 23, 1952.

He began his banking career with the American Trust Company in 1956, then to American Commercial Bank in 1959 which brought him to Raleigh. North Carolina National Bank was formed, the combination of American Commercial Bank and Security National Bank in 1966. Jack continued his career with NCNB for 6 more years. He was instrumental in starting State Bank of Raleigh in December 1972. It was the first independent bank to open in Raleigh since the 1920’s. The bank was very successful because of a lot of local people. Jack was very fortunate to be part of this very successful endeavor. In 1984 State Bank of Raleigh was merged into United Carolina Bank. During the next several years he became involved in land development, retirement homes, mobile home parks, and the hotel development and management business with his friend Charles Winston. Jack retired in 1997 which allowed he and Ann to concentrate even more on their travels. Since then they have visited over 60 countries and most of the 50 states. It was a great joy for both of them.

As a banker he was involved in many religious and civic organizations. Most noted were the North Carolina Bankers Association, Rex Hospital and the Raleigh Durham Airport Authority as well as a number of other Raleigh and NC associations. Jack held many positions in all of these organizations from Treasurer to Vice-President to President-Elect to President. Socially, he was a member of the Southern Seniors Golf Association, the St. Christopher’s Travel Group and the Sphinx Club but his favorite by far was the Carolina Country Club. As an avid golfer Jack spent many hours on the golf course. He shot his age hundreds of times beginning at age 78.

Jack was predeceased, only 6 weeks before, by the love of his life and wife of 68 years, Ann L. Harris. He is survived by his daughters Susan H. West, Martha H. Owen (John Owen), and Ann Elizabeth Harris. Also surviving are his grandchildren Jonathan H. West (Samantha West) & great granddaughter Freya, Meredith W. Berg (Griff Berg) & great granddaughter Aurelia, Katherine O. Vanias (Stephen Vanias) and great grandson Owen & great granddaughter Grace, Thomas Owen (Anna Owen) and great granddaughters Caroline & Emily. Jack is also survived by his sister Martha Harris Thompson and her family and his sister-in-law Kathryn LeStourgeon Smith (Whitman E Smith, Jr.) and her family.

The family wishes to thank Home Instead Senior Care and Transitions Life Care for their thoughtful service and support of the Harris family.

A private service will be held to celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Brown-Wynne, 300 St. Mary’s Street, Raleigh.