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Francis "Earl" Harris

Earl Harris, born April 24, 1970, of Ashburn, Virginia passed away on January 29th, 2025, after a long battle with Type 1 Diabetes and the many complications that it brought. Earl had heart of gold and never knew a stranger. He had a quick wit, a wonderful sense of humor and loved to make people laugh.

Earl was raised in Pennsville, New Jersey where he attended Pennsville Memorial High School. He was a member of the PMHS drum line and had many friends and a lot of good times with the band. After high school, Earl moved to Florida and then Michigan but finally settled in Virginia to be near his sister. Not long after moving there, he met the girl across the street, who turned out to be the love of his life. He married Debbie and raised her young son Josh as his own. They later had their son, Caden, who completed their family. Over the years, Earl coached Josh in sports and was very involved in his Cub Scouts troop. He also volunteered in Caden's school and was always supportive of the activities and interests of his boys.

Earl was an EMT with volunteer rescue companies for close to 30 years and was most recently with Lovettsville Fire and Rescue. Earl worked for many years as a nurse technician and then as a phlebotomist. He was known for being excellent at his job and always showed his patients kindness and respect.

He was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan and loved Notre Dame football. He also loved the Flyers, watching NASCAR races, and playing video games with his sons. Earl was a huge Star Wars fan. He loved his animals, most especially his dog Roxy and his many cats throughout his life. Earl also loved Hawaiian shirts and t-shirts with funny messages.

Earl is survived by his wife Debbie Harris and his sons Joshua Mathis and Caden Harris, his parents Richard Harris (Brenda) of Middletown, DE, Beverly Lewis (Fillmore) of Pennsville, NJ, his brother Richard Harris (Lori) of Canton, NJ, his sister Bleigh Harris-Pico (Paul) of Lovettsville, VA and his nieces and nephews – Emmily Uhland, Olivia McAllister, Jesse Harris, and Carley Harris, Amanda Tantlinger and Molly Tantlinger. Earl is preceded in death by his grandparents Jesse and Ethel Harris and James and Ruth Lewis and his stepfather, Albert Olnhausen.

There will be a celebration memorial in his honor on February 7, 2025, at Colonial Funeral Home at 201 Edward's Ferry Rd., NE, Leesburg, VA 20176. It was Earl's wish for everyone to wear Hawaiian shirts and share your memories of him to commemorate his life. The memorial service will begin at 2:00 and a short service will begin at 3:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to Breakthrough T1D, Formerly JDRF, PO Box 5021 Hagerstown MD 21741-5021.

https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/Donation2?2376.donation=form1&df_id=2376&mfc_pref=T