Gary Lawrence Harris' Obituary
Eulogy for Gary Lawrence Harris
Gary Lawrence Harris was born December 30, 1948, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, to Dorothy (Morehouse) and Clarence Harris. He passed away suddenly on April 15th, 2025, at 5:42 p.m.—a date that holds deep meaning for our family, as it is also the birthday of his father. There’s something poetic in that, as though in his final moment, he chose to reunite with the man who first showed him the way.
He is survived by his brother Gene Harris(Kathy)and his sister Carol Hart(Gordon), to whom he was especially close and proceeded in death by his younger brother,Robert W. Harris(Sharon). He was a father to two daughters—his oldest, Alicia Ann Liggins (Harris), and his youngest, Vanessa Lin Fonseca (Harris). He was also a grandfather to Alexander Harris Walker and Marissa Valentine, and a great-grandfather to Sebastian Fonseca and Isaiah Ohlinger.
Dad especially cherished his time with Alexander. When he was younger, they spent countless days fishing, taking beach rides along Daytona, hitting the golf course, and dancing—especially to one of his favorites, “The Wobble.” Those were more than just activities—they were love in motion, memories in the making.
If you knew Gary, you knew he loved three things deeply: music, sports, and people. He was a lifelong fan of basketball and golf—always keeping up with games, stats, and swings. But nothing lit him up quite like music. It was more than just a passion—it was his soul’s language. For over 16 years, he was a proud member of the Daytona Bopper Dance Club, spinning records and spinning on the floor, DJ’ing for his beloved dance community with a playlist full of old-school grooves, heartbeats, and memories.
Dad loved his music, his sports, his Invicta watches, Creed cologne, a clean car, and a good pair of shoes to dance in. That was my Pops.
My love for music definitely comes from him. We shared so many moments listening to the blues at B.B. King’s, enjoying the sounds and grabbing lunch together by the ocean. Those days were simple, soulful, and full of laughter—just like him.
In his later years, Dad found joy in the unexpected—driving as an Uber driver, not just for the ride, but for the stories. He’d share music with his passengers and soak up theirs in return. His car was like a moving jukebox and a confessional booth, and he thrived in that rhythm.
In one of his last conversations, during his hospital stay, he gave his granddaughter Marissa and her husband a beautiful piece of advice: “Go to the beach. Enjoy life. And always keep dancing.” That was my dad—a man who believed in living fully, loving loudly, and dancing through it all.
We will miss his voice, his laugh, his playlists, and his wisdom.
So today, we don’t say goodbye. We say thank you, Dad. Thank you for the music, the memories, and the love.
Heritage Funeral and Cremation Service of Bunnell, FL assisted the family with arrangements. www.HeritageFlagler.com
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