Reuben Ellis Harris, Jr.

I was born Reuben Ellis “Junior” Harris on January 24, 1943 in Charlottesvile to Reuben and Lutie Harris.  I have a sister, Maudie Chisholm, a brother, Buddy Harris, daughter, Sharolyn Henderson, a stepson, Robert Moutz, and nieces and nephews.  My son, Reuben Clayton, died in 2009.  I met my wife, Linda, at Fort Huachuca, AZ. We eloped in 1979 to Las Vegas at 3:15 a.m. at an all-night wedding chapel.  It was a gamble, but I came out a winner. I was called “Junior” when I attended Venable School, and Lane High, where I graduated in 1961.  After I attended UVA, I entered the Air Force and flew C-130 transport planes, including in Viet Nam.  A favorite story to anyone who would listen to me was how my plane was destroyed by Vietnamese mortar fire.   Working later in an underground missile site gave me the time to work on my Master’s degree. I had government jobs for a few years and retired from them.  I served as an Air Force Reservist in order to reach 30 years of Military service retiring as a Colonel, an honor I treasure.      For ten years, I loved serving as a Reserve Deputy in the Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office.   I learned about Rock Steady Boxing classes for Parkinson’s at the “YMCA” in Staunton, and the group became “My Other Family”.  Donations can be sent to one of your favorite organizations, or to Staunton-Augusta YMCA; Rock Steady Program; PO Box 2746; Staunton, VA  24402 At my request, no funeral will be held.  A burial with only my family in attendance will be held on Friday, January 25, one day after what would have been my 76th birthday.    A Celebration of Life will be held in April.   Friends will be notified.  I left my family and friends on January 19, 2019.  I have had a wonderful life and thank all of you who made it so. Henry Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.   Condolences may be sent to the family at www.henryfuneralhome.net .