Dewitt Clinton Harris

On July 16, 2024 Dewitt “Dee” Clinton Harris passed away in Denver, North Carolina.  He was born in Plant City, Florida to Howard Clinton and Agnes Harris on October 06, 1940. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth “Liz”; brother, Glen Harris (Debi); daughter, Deann Pitton; granddaughter, Erica Balfour (Dave); grandson, Kristopher Harris Pitton (Katlin); granddaughter, Katherine Harris Pitton; great grandchildren, Sierra, Desmond, and Melissa Balfour, Vidalia Harris Pitton; and several nieces and nephews.

Throughout his life, Dee was in almost constant motion. When he was 15 years old, he owned and operated a TV and radio repair shop for 3 years before selling the business to attend Georgia Tech.  As a Vidalia High School senior, he won the state Science competition. In his spare time, he constructed a communication tower out of old beer cans for his shortwave radio and enjoyed talking with people in Africa on it. In high school, his car was a 1940 Chevy coupe that he disassembled and rebuilt. Dee was born an engineer, and he was proud to be a “Ramblin Wreck” from Georgia Tech.  He worked for DuPont for 30 years in various roles and he maintained his Professional Engineering certification until he retired in 1996.

Dee discovered his love of photography in the 1960’s. For the next 60 years a camera was essential. He loved the challenge of getting the perfect shot. The result was the almost unbelievable photographs taken as he and Liz traveled the world.

Dee was a man of many talents and a keen sense of fun.  One talent that brought laughter to everyone who witnessed it – he could sign his full name upside down and backwards. It was so much fun to be with him at the store and watch him sign a charge slip without turning it around first.  Dee was also a talented musician who played piano, guitar, and sang with the Georgia Tech glee club. He shared his love of music freely with his family and friends.

From serving on the Waynesboro Planning Commission, working as a hospital volunteer, or serving meals to the homeless, Dee believed in giving back to his community.  He loved to learn new things was always open to the next intriguing project. From building computers, to networking, to assembling model RC cars, to TV repair, he was always doing something. 

After earning his pilot’s license, Dee and a friend purchased a used 1969 Piper Cherokee airplane and completely overhauled it. When completed, the plane was immaculate, and the paint job was better than the original. He flew using instruments only on routine trips from Virgina to Georgia to visit family and friends.

Dee was a Presbyterian elder.  Everywhere he lived, he looked for and supported a church community. For the past 22 years he was a faithful member of Unity Presbyterian Church. Dee believed that anything worth doing was worth doing well. The Unity Cemetery book is a great example. It began so simply, a friend asked Dee to find a veteran’s grave in the Unity cemetery and verify the information on the grave marker. How do you begin to collect, collate, and consolidate the history of the graves located on the church grounds? The answer to that question is the extensive cemetery book he and Liz created.    

Dee’s first and forever love was his family.  Liz and Dee were always a team. From working on the same Habitat for Humanity crew for several years, to creating a Water Safety program for the US Army Core of Engineers, their results could be surprising. Together they were more than either would have been alone. Dee leaves a legacy of love, character, and faith. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 2:00PM at Unity Presbyterian Church Denver, NC. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Unity Presbyterian Church, 8210 Unity Church Road, Denver, NC  28037 or your favorite charity.