Gary Keith Harris

Gary Keith Harris, 63, died peacefully on Monday, November 30, 2020 at his home in Saint Augustine, Florida. He was born on August 8, 1957 in Newburgh, New York to Parkill Harris and Susie Clara Steppe. Gary spent his earlier childhood in Orlando, Florida with his sister Leslie Renee Harris being raised by their beloved grandmother, Fennie Bryant Harris. In 1965, they all moved to Newburgh, New York where he lived with his father’s family including sisters, Leslie, and Lela E. Harris. He later lived with his mother Susie and brother Eric Steppe. He attended high school at Newburgh Free Academy, and then joined the Army in 1975 where he served at Fort Riley, Kansas as a Combat Engineer and worked in construction. After leaving the army in 1978, Gary briefly attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York where he studied Business. He later moved to Albany, New York where he worked for Teresian House Center for the Elderly as a Painter. Several years later he was employed by the Salvation Army managing their Youth Program in Newburgh. He was accepted into the Plumber and Steamfitter Apprenticeship Program in 1997 and graduated as a Journeyman Plumber & Pipefitter in June 2002, working for Local Union #373 in Mountainside, New York. Gary retired from working December 2018. Gary married the love of his life, Selma Yvonne Oakley on August 21, 1999, and was happily married for 21 plus years until his death. Gary enjoyed, playing chess and online games, cruising the Caribbean islands, visiting casinos, and mostly spending time at home with his wife dancing and listening to music, watching movies, wildlife programs, documentaries, football, and boxing. Gary will be remembered fondly by his family and friends, especially his wonderful smile and those amazing bear hugs. Gary had faith in God and joins his parents, Parkill and Susie; brother, Eric; nephew, Eric Steppe, Jr. and father-in-law, Samuel E. Oakley in Heaven. He is survived by his wife, Selma of Saint Augustine, Florida; his sisters Leslie Harris and Lela Harris of Bowie, Maryland; his nieces, Erica Green and Maya and Nicole Allicock; nephew, Aaron Steppe; uncle, Solomon Harris; aunts, Minnie Lewis, Ella Mae Harris and Clara Harris; mother-in-law, Cynthia E. Oakley; sister and brother-in-law Sheldon and Theresa Graham, and a host of cousins, family and friends. A memorial service will be held at St. Johns Family Funeral Home 385 SR 207 St. Augustine, FL 32084 at 1:00 on Saturday, December 12, 2020. The family will be greeting friends and relatives prior to the service at 12:30. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Haven organization (https://beyourhaven.org/donate). Their healthcare workers provided compassionate care and support to Gary and Selma during the last couple of months of Gary’s life. In keeping with the CDC Coronavirus guidelines every attendee must wear a mask and the number of attendees may be restricted. We ask that if you are at high risk, feeling ill, or traveling from an area with a high level of infection, please do not attend the service. Those unable to attend can view the service live streamed at https://iframe.dacast.com/b/156599/c/iframe.dacast.com/b/156599/c/549019 .

Gary Keith Harris

August 8, 1957 - November 30, 2020