Jan Arthur Harris, age 76, of Cherry Log, GA passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockbridge, GA from complication during surgery. Jan was born April 9, 1947 in the U.S. Marine Hospital in Seattle, WA to Albert Harris and Glyness (Butts) Harris. He was raised through high school in the Coos Bay area of southern Oregon where he and his younger brother, Mike, spent many a happy day hunting, fishing, clamming, and generally being crazy country boys. Jan attended Oregon State for one year, studying mathematics, until he got his draft notice for the Viet Nam war. Jan served in the Navy from 1967-1969 stationed in Korea (DMZ) and Viet Nam. He was discharged honorably with the rank of Yeoman 2nd Class.

Jan's work career was quite varied. His first love was engineering/machine design, but he turned his hand to garage door installer, deck hand on charter fishing boats out of S.F. and Monterey Bays, and licensed contractor remodeling homes.

Jan's son Kenneth Arthur was born in 1980 and quickly became his Pop's fishing buddy. The stories coming from their fishing adventures are stuff of legends (first fish, biggest fish, Daisy Duke shorts, and cast-iron fry ups).

Jan's met his second wife, Lorraine (Mundy) Harris, in 2002. They moved from California back to the Coos Bay area in 2003 and bought a home/land one mile from where he grew up. After 16 years in that beautiful, but rainy place, they found a home in Cherry Log where they enjoyed 4+ years in their log home situated on a creek and backing on the National Forest. Beautiful memories were still being made, despite his failing health, up until the day he died. They both loved to travel, eat regional food, sample a well-stocked bar, and gaze at ocean waves.

Jan was a devoted husband, loyal friend, and compassionate to all animals. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine, his son Kenny of Rancho Cordova, CA, his daughter-in-law Kelly, his "little" brother Mike of Monroe, OR, Mike's wife Connie, his best friend Steve Martell of Oshkosh, WI, countless pals in California, Oregon, and Georgia.

No services were held, but a gathering of friends was held at Jan's local "watering hole" where folks shared stories and tipped a Bud in his memory. His ashes will be scattered in a few of his favorite places by his loved ones.

Condolences may be made online at www.akinscobb.com. Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.