Richard William Harris III

Richard William Harris III, age 67, of Dacula, GA passed away Thursday, December 12, 2013. He was born November 7, 1946, in Palatka, FL and graduated from Clay High School in Green Cove Springs, FL in 1964. He also graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1977, with a degree in Professional Aeronautics.

Richard Harris retired from the US Army in 1987, as a Major after twenty-one years of distinguished service, including two tours in Viet Nam as a helicopter pilot with the Stinger 91 Unit and also the Wildcat Unit. At the time of retirement, he was serving in the Unified Command at MacDill AFB, under the command of General Schwarzkopf. Upon retirement from the military, he pursued a second career with Ricoh Electronics, Lawrenceville, GA.

He was an avid golfer and a member of the Senior Golf Association of Atlanta. Fishing was another passion, providing him many hours of enjoyment with family and friends. He was also a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association and an ardent supporter of Wounded Warrior Project.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard William Harris II and Dorothy Emily Harris. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Juan Saye Harris, Dacula, GA; children, Richard Spencer Harris and Trevor William Harris, Atlanta, GA; sister and brother-in-law, Jane Ann and William Dorward, Allentown, PA; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John Calvin and Debbie Christmas, Warner Robins, GA; Jimmy and Ann Williams, Cleveland, MS, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends at Flanigan Funeral Home in Buford, GA on Monday, December 16, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A military service will be held at a later date at the National Cemetery in Jacksonville, FL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarrior.org. To express condolences, please sign the online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA, 770-932-1133.