MSGT Ernest Richard Harris, USMC Ret., 92, Stuart, was called by the Lord to his final duty station on Monday, October 31, 2022. He was the eldest of 5 sons born to Ivan and Ressie Harris in Brazil, Indiana. Like many young men of his generation, he found the battlefield more enticing than the classroom and left high school to join the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 He served his country honorably for 24 years of his life. After training at Parris Island and Camp Lejeune, he found himself part of the regiment that landed on Blue Beach in the Battle of Inchon September, 1950. By December, he was stationed in the mountains of North Korea, The Chosin Reservoir at Hagaru-Ri where the temperatures were minus 38 degrees Fahrenheit. He was a 20-year-old Private First Class. The remainder of his career was spent aboard many a Navy ship visiting almost every port and country in the world. He became a recruiter for the Corps earning the position of number one recruiter for the state of Indiana until the Viet Nam conflict where he did two tours. It was there that his leadership skills earned him the respect of every Marine he guided. His career eventually led him back to Parris Island where he became a Drill Instructor. He ended his career with the Corps once again as a recruiter.
He was pre-deceased by his parents, four brothers and his wife, Sydney. He leaves behind one son, Steve (Deborah) of Stuart; one daughter-in-law, Deborah Hooks of Winston-Salem; four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren: Shane Stafford (Rebecca) of San Juan Capistrano, CA and children Aubrey and Emily; Sydney Mashburn (David Arthur) of Germanton, NC and children Luke, Noah and Roman; Tim Hooks (Kira) of Greensboro, NC and children Parker, Juliet and Felicity; Eric Hooks (Caroline) of Hudson, NC and child Nathaniel; and his loving and faithful dog, Sophie.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, November 6, 2022, at Moody’s Funeral Services in Stuart with Reverend Tammy Franklin officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations and memorials be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or an animal shelter of one’s choosing. Burial will be at a later date in Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC. Online condolences may be sent to www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
