Brody "Chip" Clifton Harris, Iii

Brody C. Harris, III, “Chip”, age 72, of Live Oak, FL, passed away Thursday, July 21st, 2022 at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, FL following a sudden illness, surrounded by his loving family.  Chip, as he was known by his family and friends, was born in Live Oak, FL on March 4, 1950, as the third child, and first son, of four children of Brody C. Harris, JR and Dorothy Wright Harris.

Chip was raised in and around the funeral business all of his life. As a teenager he started working with his dad, learning all aspects of the funeral business. He graduated from Suwannee High School in 1968, and earned a scholarship to play football at Florida State University for one year, and then was recruited by Ft. Scott Community College where he stood out amongst other Junior College players, and was the first quarterback to be inducted in the Ft. Scott Community College Hall of Fame. In 1969, Chip passed for 29 touchdown passes, more than any other quarterbacks in the nation! After college, Chip returned home and decided to go to Mortuary College to get his funeral directors license and embalmers license. After graduating with honors from Gupton Jones Mortuary College in 1978, he came home to marry the former Debbie Owen.

Chip and Debbie were married June 9, 1978, and took over Harris Funeral Home from his parents so they could retire. Debbie worked alongside her husband as his secretary and took great pride in helping those in need through very difficult times in their lives. Chip and Debbie want you to know how humble and honored they have been to be able to serve you.

Chip was a member of the Paul Harris Fellow Rotary Club, Barrett Lodge #43, Live Oak Shrine Club, and the Morocco Temple. He is in the Suwannee High Hall of Fame for football and baseball, and was the first quarterback to be inducted. He was Honorable Mention All American in Junior College, and Ft. Scott Community College Hall of Fame Inaugural Class.

He is predeceased by his parents, Brody C. Harris, JR and Dorothy Harris; and his fur grand-dog Chief.

He is survived by his loving wife of forty four years, Debbie Owen Harris, Live Oak; three children, Brody C. Harris IV and wife Aimee, Acworth, Ga, Natalie Brown and husband Bryan, Crawfordville, FL, and Tyler Harris and Amanda, Jacksonville, FL; two sisters Darlyne Beaudoin and husband Richard, Jacksonville, FL, Kathy Carter and husband Sam, Live Oak, FL, and Halford Harris and wife Paula, Live Oak, FL; five grandchildren, Lilly, Zoe, and Palmer Harris, Acworth, GA, and Brody and Raelynn Brown, Crawfordville, FL; and his fur grand-dog Mahi.

Funeral services were held, 11:00 AM, Monday, July 25th, 2022 at the Westwood Baptist Church with Dr. Jimmy Deas and Dr. Ben Bush officiating.

Visitation was held one hour prior to the services from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the church.

Private family burial was held in the Live Oak Cemetery.

Please keep the Harris family in your prayers today and the days ahead.