Raymond Harris Jr's Obituary
Raymond Harris, Jr. was born in Wake Forest, North Carolina on June 27, 1938, to the late Raymond and Nettie Sarah Harris. He was educated in the segregated school system of Wake County, North Carolina, and was a proud 1957 graduate of W.E.B Dubois High School.
After graduating from high school, Raymond worked at Duke University Medical Center before enlisting in the United States Air Force on November 5, 1957. While at RAF Station Kirknewton located near Edinburgh, Scotland he met a young Scottish woman, Susan Walker Webb, who would be his wife of 58 years. Their union was blessed with three daughters.
Life in the Air Force took Raymond many places including, Edinburgh, Scotland; Anchorage, Alaska; Misawa, Japan; San Vito, Italy; Taiwan; Thailand; RAF Chicksands, England; and Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland, before settling in Annapolis, Maryland with his family.
While in the Air Force Raymond worked in the security/cryptology field where he received numerous awards and citations; far too many to cite. Some of the most special awards he received while in the military were the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
During Raymond Harris’ 26 years of service, he was consistently praised for his exemplary leadership ability, extensive technical knowledge, his commitment to taking care of his people, and his ability to work well with people. He dedicated himself not just to the Air Force community but to the local community, where he was stationed. Serving in the decades following segregation and leading up to the Civil Rights Movement, Raymond Harris was a proponent for equality in the Air Force, leading by example every day of his career.
Raymond served in Vietnam from July 7, 1973 to March 30, 1974 and was proud to be known as a Vietnam Veteran. It was always nice to see someone stop him in public to show respect and say, “Thank you for your service!” when they saw him wearing his “US Air Force Retired” or “Vietnam Veteran” hats. Raymond retired from his last duty station at the National Security Agency in Fort Meade, Maryland on November 31, 1984. Later he went on to retire from the US Postal Service where he worked as a supervisor in their Gaithersburg, Maryland facility.
Raymond always maintained strong connections to his family and his roots in the East End/Dubois community where he grew up in Wake Forest. In a time where schools were segregated, and blacks often received resources that were considered “less than” when compared to their white counterparts, Raymond Harris received a stellar educational foundation from the teachers and staff in the Dubois School system. The Dubois faculty were women and men who were the daughters, sons, and grandchildren of slaves and they took their job seriously trying to enlighten every student who crossed their path and embolden them with a spirit to not only uplift themselves but also their community. Raymond had fond memories of playing football and basketball, driving the school bus, being a member of the Future Farmers of America and the Student Council. He fondly remembered his days in the Wake Forest community, even the days that have long since gone when he primed tobacco, picked cotton, tended chickens, and drew water from a spring and carried it to the house. A life that built character and laid the foundation that shaped the great man he was to become.
Raymond Harris, Jr. departed this life on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, where he died peacefully in his Annapolis, MD home where he was surrounded by his loving family. Raymond Harris was a devoted husband, father, family member and friend for 87 years. Raymond loved and protected his family. He led by example. His gentle playful spirit touched those who encountered him. He was a humble man who believed in God and believed in equal rights for all people. In his lifetime he earned the love and respect of many, and he will be dearly missed.
Raymond was preceded in death by his wife, Susan, and his daughter Michelle Rene Harris. He is survived by two siblings, Joyce (Leroy) Hammond of Raleigh, NC and Eugene (Deborah) Harris of East Orange, New Jersey; one sister in law, Ruby Allen of Luton, England, two daughters Lynne Harris of Seal Beach, Ca. and Rae Harris (BerVon Summers) of Annapolis, MD; four grandchildren, Rachael, Jasmine, Kendrew, and Simone Harris of Annapolis, MD, three great grandchildren, Miracle, Jordan, and Joshua also of Annapolis, Maryland and a whole number of cousins, nieces, nephews.
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