Cecil O’Bryan Harris, Jr., beloved father, husband, and friend, age 81 of Lebanon, Tennessee, passed away on Wednesday, July 24th, 2024, in Olathe, Kansas. The Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, August 4th, 2024 at 03:00 p.m. in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet. The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 4th from 01:00 p.m. until service time at 03:00 p.m. Interment with Military Honors will be held on Monday, August 5th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery.
He is survived by brothers, Frank (Teresa) Harris and Dale (Terrie) Harris; daughter, Tamara (Doug) Rooney; son, Jim (Angela) Harris; step-daughters, Grace Engel and Karen (David) Blevins; grandchildren, Blake Rooney, Braden Rooney, Taylor Harris, Nicholas Engel, Alex Engel, Austin Blevins, and Lyndie Lyons; great-grandchildren, Dom, Elliott, and Wyatt.
He was preceded in death by parents, Cecil (Sr.) and Sue Harris; first wife, Mary J. Harris (1992); second wife Carolyn Sue Harris (2022).
Cecil was born on Friday, January 8th, 1943 in Columbia, Tennessee. A 1961 graduate of Central High School in Nashville, Tennessee, Cecil went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Mr. Harris worked in sales throughout his life in various industries including insurance, retail, and food service sales. He also worked in restaurant management and retired from Wilson County Schools as a beloved bus driver.
Mr. Harris was involved in community service as well as being of service to any church he attended. He brought the word of God to many through Gideons International and was often seen in church as an usher, greeter, and board member. Although friendliness is not an official title, he was always seen with a big smile followed by a warm handshake. Cecil had a generous heart and a generous spirit; one of his great joys was supporting mission projects around the world. He truly never knew a stranger.
Cecil’s love for his family, his church, and his friends was strong. Even at 81 years old, he felt his life still had purpose. Found in his journal from 2023 was a statement that he was going to give whatever life he had left for Jesus to use as he saw fit – he was not about to give up, the best is yet to come! In true Cecil fashion, which was always with a smile, that positive outlook was shared with all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of crossing paths with him.
Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818
