Jimmy Wilson Harris, Ii

James Wilson Harris II, age 48, passed away on Monday with his family by his side. Like a good father, “Jimmy” got to Heaven before his kids did. Not that they were in a hurry to lose him, because he left us all way too soon. Jimmy fought a valiant battle against a thing few of us knew anyone could get; Ocular Melanoma. You see Ocular Mela….actually, just google it. In fact, he’d have been happy to help you google it if you needed help. Jimmy had a remarkable technical brain, running his own IT Consulting company for the last 7 years. He had this amazing ability to explain all of your computer “stuff” in a way that wouldn’t leave you feeling dumb. There really wasn’t much Jimmy couldn’t (and didn’t) do. He was a natural leader and problem solver. In fact, if you shared your problem with Jimmy, he usually had a solution for you before you were done explaining the problem. He earned an Electrical Engineering degree, and an MBA. He was a Dale Carnegie instructor, musician, Jaycee, business owner, skydiver, SCUBA diver, and licensed pilot.

Jimmy married the love of his life, Paige, 13 years ago. They have 2 incredible children, Josh (almost 12) & Ethan (age 9) whose lives will never be the same. He loved his family and friends unconditionally. Jimmy was a server (not a technical joke). He served people. He served customers. He served his family. He was “Jimmy.” Never Mr. Harris , never James, always “Jimmy.” Easy, approachable, amazingly talented. Quick to laugh, but also quiet. Strongly passionate, yet always at ease. Never one for crowds, yet always present regardless of the setting. Always kind with a bright smile and laugh; that’s just how he was.

They say life isn’t fair. Whoever “they” are, they’re right. Those who knew and loved Jimmy were blessed beyond measure in the time we shared with him for the incredible faith and strength he demonstrated daily. When Jimmy was ready to share his situation with his friends and family, he went against his private nature and created an amazing community of supporters online. The main thing the group did was give love to the Harris family by sharing jokes (awful ones). Memes of hamsters and Vanilla Ice that made your brain hurt. And great stuff, like pics of Jimmy with vampire teeth, laying in a hospital bed looking sexy as all get out. Pics of Paige smiling, which had to be impossible. Dogs in drag. For the love of all things holy, it was a thing of beauty, a place of optimism. Even the name was pure optimism, “Jimmy’s Next Battle”. Not last, or final, just “next.” Jimmy, we miss you. We love you. You made the world a better place. You’re always with us.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his close, personal friend Jesus Christ, so he’s good in that department. Jimmy is survived by his wife Paige, his sons Josh & Ethan, his parents Lucy & Jim, siblings Terri and Tammie, and countless extended family members and also by his crazy dog Buddy that refused to leave his side for the last 24 hours of his life

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jimmy’s name to Jefferson University Hospital, 125 S. 9th Street, Suite 600, Philadelphia, PA, 19107 (or Call 1-877-JEFF-GIFT). Please designate gifts for “Eye Melanoma Research Fund.”