John Taylor Harris

John Taylor Harris, 57, was called into the presence of his Lord and Savior on January 20, 2025. John was born on December 14, 1967, in Athens, Georgia. He grew up in Tennessee and graduated from Middle Tennessee Christian School in 1985. He then earned a B.S. degree from Lipscomb University in Nashville in 1989. A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Disciples Fellowship Church (3064 Lorna Road, Hoover, AL 35216) from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A service will follow at 11:00 AM. John was preceded in death by his mother: Linda Roberts Harris, and his grandparents: John William Harris, Sr., Blanche Taylor Harris, Jesse Watts Roberts, and Bertie Pinkerton Roberts. John is survived by his wife: Liesl Ward Harris; his father: John William Harris, Jr.; his sister: Cathy Ficzere; his brother-in-love: Joe Ficzere; his nephew: Joseph Turner; and his niece: Bailee Ficzere, He is also survived by his brother- and sister-in-love: Hal and Jane Ward; his sister-in-love: Laurel Ward; his nephews: Isaac "Nacho" Ward, Kye Winn, and Matthew Winn; and his niece: Chloe Ward. John and Liesl did not meet until they were both nearly forty years old. Each of them simply thought that marriage was not part of God's plan for their lives, so they were delighted when God brought them together through love, persistence, and a little match-making mischief from the Disciples Fellowship congregation! They loved each other well for over fifteen years of marriage. They taught each other about patience, tenderness, forgiveness, and grace. They delighted in each other's company and enjoyed nothing more than spending time together. While they loved each other dearly, they also just liked each other! They were best friends. While John spent much of his career in private industry, he devoted the last three years of his professional life working as a Jeff Coach at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama. He had truly discovered his calling. He loved nothing more than helping and serving students. He often marveled that he had found a job he loved so dearly. Liesl and John carpooled to Jefferson State nearly every workday. They became later-in-life college sweethearts! While John and Liesl did not have biological children, over the years of their marriage, they opened their home to five international students from across the world. They also adored their "Phi Theta Kappa" honor students from Jefferson State. John may not have had biological children, but he was a father to countless students. John will be remembered for so many wonderful characteristics and qualities. One of his happy places was being near the water, fishing pole in hand. His other happy place was spending time with his family, especially his father, Cathy, Joe, Joseph, and Bailee, whom he loved beyond words. John had gorgeous, expressive blue eyes. He also had a deep, booming bass voice, which he loved to use to praise God through song. But even with his deep, booming voice, John was gentle. Little children especially were drawn to him. He had a tender heart of compassion for all. John had overcome many health challenges before. He faced Hodgkins Lymphoma in his early twenties. He had also undergone open-heart bypass surgery and a heart valve replacement. When John told Liesl that he needed to go to the emergency room, she thought it was another challenge that he would, once again, beat. She did not know that God was calling him home. John’s earthly body wore out, but his eternal body is healed—whole and perfect. John is using his beautiful bass voice to praise God in Heaven. His voice is also urging us to continue in this life as we desperately cling to the hope of resurrection and a future reunion soon. Philippians 3:20 reads: But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” While we grieve for John deeply, we rejoice that his healed body is now a citizen in Heaven, and we eagerly look forward to seeing him again.

John Taylor Harris

December 14, 1967 - January 20, 2025