John O. Harris

Staff
Posted 5/28/18

NAPLES, Fla. - John O. Harris, 88, of Naples, Fla., formerly of Mendota, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2018 at his home in Naples.

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John O. Harris

Posted

NAPLES, Fla. - John O. Harris, 88, of Naples, Fla., formerly of Mendota, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2018 at his home in Naples. 

A memorial service will be held in Glen Ellyn this August, during which family, friends and others whose lives John touched will be able to gather and honor his life.

John was born Feb. 18, 1930 in Mendota to George and Jane (King) Harris. He married Shirley Christine Meyer on June 23, 1956. She preceded him in death in 2000.

Survivors include one son, David (Linda) Harris; one daughter, Cathleen (partner Matthew Freeman) Harris; three grandchildren, Scott, Alexandra and Audrey; and two sisters, Ruth Campbell and Mary Jane Howard.

He was preceded in death by his wife and one brother, Herbert in 1972.

John graduated from Mendota High School as valedictorian, then received a bachelor’s degree in dairy technology and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois. He and Shirley lived in Glen Ellyn for over 40 years, where John was a small animal veterinarian and owner of the Glen Ellyn Animal Hospital along with Drs. Wallace Eagle and David Clayton. He was among a group of colleagues who founded the first after-hour emergency hospital for pets in the state of Illinois. He was a member of the First Congregational Church and the Masonic Lodge in Glen Ellyn. He lived his life enjoying simple pleasures and was happiest spending time with his wife and family, smoking his pipe, tending his garden and watching the Chicago Cubs. His favorite pastimes included fishing, country & western music, and “shooting the moon” during a good game of Hearts. John was a compassionate man, with an uncanny ability to connect with people and animals in a deep and positive way.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn at https://fccge.org, American Veterinary Medical Foundation at https://www.avmf.org or BrightFocus Foundation https://www.brightfocus.org.