Lonnell Clifford Harris Sr.'s Obituary
Lonnell Clifford Harris, Sr. was born on March 21, 1941 in
Saint Louis, Missouri to the union of Earl and Naomi Harris,
who both preceded him in death.
Lonnell was active in sports and sang in the church choir as a
child. He received his formal education through the East St.
Louis Public School System, graduating from Lincoln Sr. High
School in 1959. After high school, he enlisted and served four
years in the United States Marine Corps, where he achieved the
level of Lance Corporal and was Honorably Discharged in
1963. After returning home, he began working McDonnellDouglas Aircraft (now Boeing). Soon after he married his wife,
Alice Montgomery in 1965; two children were born to this
union, Adrienne M. Harris and Lonnell C. Harris, Jr. “DJ”.
Lonnell worked as an Electrician for Ameren UE (formerly
Union Electric) in Saint Louis, Missouri, while simultaneously
earning his Bachelor's Degree in Humanities from Southern
Illinois University-Edwardsville. He retired from Ameren in
2001, after serving thirty-two years, to focus more on living a
good life with his family and pursuing his passions.
Lonnell enjoyed several hobbies, including his love for music
of almost any form, but especially Jazz. He was an excellent
Baritone singer and sang in choirs and singing groups in his
youth. He was an avid bowler throughout his life and achieved
several tournament trophies and "300" rings. He loved to roller
-skate in his youth and one of his favorite "jobs" was to DJ at
parties and to take pictures of family and friends at events. He
was the "Family Photo Man". His life was filled with love, joy,
passion and purpose.
Lonnell departed this life on Saturday, August 5, 2023 and
leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of fifty-eight years
~ Alice F. Harris; his children ~ Adrienne M. Harris of
Atlanta, Georgia and Lonnell Harris, Jr. of Nashua, New
Hampshire; two brothers ~ Arnold O. Harris (Vickie) of
Michigan and Donald G. Harris (Gwen) of Saint Louis; one
sister ~ Mickie M. Young (Larry) of East St. Louis, Illinois;
grandchildren ~ Bradley Webb of Atlanta, Georgia and
Ashlynne Buckley of Atlanta, Georgia, Tiffani Buckley of Saint
Louis, Missouri; one goddaughter ~ Brittany Houston of
Shiloh, Illinois; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and
friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Lonnell?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lonnell?
Share a story where Lonnell's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lonnell you’ll never forget.
How did Lonnell make you smile?
