Lawrence J. -Larry- Harris

Sergeant Major (Retired) Lawrence “Larry” Joseph Anthony Harris entered into eternal peace on Sunday, March 12, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana surrounded by his loved ones after a valiant fight against mantle cell lymphoma that included participating in a clinical trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX in the hopes of helping future cancer patients.

Larry was born March 10, 1937 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was blessed to be adopted by the late Helen Chynoweth. Some of his fondest memories included time spent with his grandparents, Margaret and Herbert Harris, whom Larry referred to as Papal and Guy.

Larry was drafted into the United States Army in 1959. His career included tours in Vietnam, Germany, Korea, and Alaska and culminated as the Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate SGM at the US Army Total Personnel Command. He retired with honors in 1989 after serving this country that he loved for over 30 years. He always strove to find ways to take care of Soldiers and honor those that served. Upon retirement, he became the Director of Military Affairs for the Non Commissioned Officers Association of the USA. In 1991 he assumed the duties of Transition Service Manager for the newly established Army Career and Alumni Program. Capitalizing on his ACAP experience he moved to the Office of the Secretary of Defense working with the Department of Defense, Military Services, and Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs on transition issues and policies. He also managed DoD military overseas job fairs. In 2000, Larry and his business partner formed the company Military Overseas Recruiting Events to help separating, military, DoD civilians, and their family members find employment tailored to their skill sets. M.O.R.E. organized and executed job fairs in the Far East, Europe, and stateside. In 2008, he joined a local burial team to render final military honors to veterans. In 2014, as a Charter Member, he established the Indy Metropolitan Military Honor Guard where he served as Commander. Ensuring deceased veterans were properly honored, Larry participated in 1,204 funerals.

Larry was a die-hard baseball fan who could always tell you how many days until pitchers and catchers report. And, he was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan and was thrilled when they won the World Series in 2016 (Go Cubbies!). For many years he coached softball teams (The Animals) at the various military installations he was assigned. He loved to win! When he was younger, he was a runner and participated in numerous marathons (Chicago, Marine Corps, and De Kalb). Once his feet started to give out, he took up bike riding. He rode his bike 8 miles every day stopping in the parking lots along his route to pick up discarded change. He always kept track of how much he collected. Larry had a sweet tooth like no other. He loved cookies (don’t forget the milk!) and ice cream (Klondike bars and chocolate were his favorite). He had a great sense of humor. He would often hide plastic roaches and other insects for us to find later. Larry loved his pets and they loved him – Mandy, Mr. Cat, Pookie, and Inky to name a few. Larry loved the beach especially the Gulf of Mexico beaches, his favorite was Siesta Key.

In 1966 Larry married Virginia Lee Obermeier. They have two children, Margaret Ann and John Keith. Larry and Virginia remained friends.

Larry and Mary Kathleen (Kathe) Davis-Harris of Indianapolis have been married for 23 years and cherished family time together. The obstacles they faced during their marriage evolved into a living testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ. They traveled to many baseball stadiums, vacationed mainly at Gulf/Atlantic beaches, and traveled to the Netherlands on a river cruise with family. They lovingly made many trips to their parents’ homes to serve and care for them before they passed away.

Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Chynoweth, his step-father, Paul Chynoweth; his grandparents, Margaret and Herbert Harris; his step-parents-in-law William Mooneyhan and Dr. Esther Mooneyhan; and, his step daughter Angela Ohms.

Larry leaves his loving memories to be cherished by his wife, Kathe Davis-Harris; his daughter Margaret Swank (Scott); his son Colonel John Harris (Christy); his step-daughters Tammy Tyree (Scott) and Tiffany Davis; grandchildren Andrew, Catherine, Emily and Jack Harris and Noah Swank; and, step-grandchildren SSgt Mylissa Tyree-Kramer (SSgt Matthew Kramer), Michelle Tyree, and, Donald Tresler; step-great granddaughter Angela Tresler; step-son-in-law Stan Ohms; brother-in-law William Mooneyhan and his wife Ginny. Larry was blessed to have many treasured friends. It was not uncommon for him to affectionately and always with a grin tell friends and family that they are ugly, a loser, or a zero.

Larry helped many alcoholics navigate the road of recovery through the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. He was an active member who mentored and sponsored others. Having achieved many years of sobriety, Larry was an example that the program works if one is willing to work it.

A Celebration of Larry’s life will be held March 18, 2017 at 2:00pm with visitation 12:00-2:00pm at Flanner and Buchanan-Washington Park East in Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Indy Metropolitan Military Honor Guard (http://www.immhg.org/html/donations.html or Indy Metropolitan Military Honor Guard Inc, 9702 E. Washington Street, Suite 400 — 147, Indianapolis, IN 46229-2609).

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Fredrick Hagemeister and his staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Dr. Sumeet Bhatia and his staff at Community Hospital Oncology Physicians for their care and treatment of Larry. The family is also grateful to the medical staff of Community North Hospital for their care of Larry in his final days.