Melvin "Douglas" Harris

On the morning of Friday, April 22, 2022 our beloved Melvin Douglas Harris, an adoring father, husband and friend, succumbed to complications from his battle with cancer. Douglas was born August 27, 1946 in Mount Holly, NJ to parents Joseph and Florence Harris. He was the youngest of 8 children and was affectionately known to family and friends as Doug. He attended Rancocas Valley Regional High School where he majored in fun, played football and developed lifelong friendships with James, Sunny, Naseef and Buster. He also met and married his first wife Francis Broy. To this union was born one son, Angelo Harris.

In 1969 Doug moved to Columbus, OH where he met and married Adorea Jones. During their marriage, they lived in Las Vegas, NV, Mount Holly, NJ and Columbus, OH where they raised their three children Anya, Angela and Jason. Doug worked in the trucking industry for 50+ years as a driver, owner operator and employer. He met no strangers. His sense of humor and contagious laugh could lighten any situation.

Family was the foundation of Doug’s life and the greatest source of his pride and joy. Doug loved traveling, sports and the outdoors. The purchase of their first boat fueled the family’s love of water sports such as fishing, skiing, tubing, riding the jet ski and swimming. They spent many weekends at their summer home on Lake Erie. His favorite places for fishing and boating were Lake Erie and Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Doug was also a San Francisco 49ers fan, loved music, watching westerns and boxing, and dancing (like he was on Hee Haw).

From 2001 through the twilight of his life, Doug was married to Rebecca Hill. They enjoyed boating, traveling in their truck and vacationing in their time share. While vacationing in Florida, Doug set a Florida State Record for catching the largest Rockhind Grouper. If you’re wondering, this is a “true” fishing story! They took a number of cruises, spending time at the furthest end of the ship, so Doug could relax and watch the water. Doug and Becky also loved finding great deals, so frequenting flea markets and auctions was an enjoyable pastime. He developed a green thumb over the years and was always proud of his plump red tomatoes!

Preceding Douglas in death were his parents: Joseph and Florence Harris; siblings: Joseph, Curtis, Lynn, Margaret, Hazel, Janice and Brenda. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Rebecca Harris; children, Angelo Harris, Anya Harris, Angela (Tony) Foxx and Jason Harris; grandchildren, Ryan Harris, Tyler Harris, Peyton Wilson, Chyanne Harris, Kelly Wilson ll and Jason Harris ll; great-grandchildren, Ashton Wilson and Grey Harris; Brother-in-law, Ronnie Taylor; Sisters-in-law, Esther Harris and Andrea Shaw; special cousins Jeanne Harris and Wayne Harris and a host of nieces and nephews. Special mention to Adorea Harris and Francis Harris.

Doug's family will receive friends 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Cotner Funeral Home 7369 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg where a Celebration of Doug's life will follow at 2 p.m.

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