James (Jim) Melbourne Harris

James (Jim) Melbourne Harris made his transition to his heavenly home in the morning of April 29, 2024, after a short battle with cancer at his home with his two daughters at his side to walk him home. He was reunited with his wife, Juanita, whom he missed dearly.

James M. Harris was born on August 31, 1944, to Claire and Herman Harris, in Freeport, IL and grew up in Freeport. He attended Freeport Schools and graduated from Freeport High School in 1962. He served on the Freeport Police Department from June 1, 1970 to March 4, 2001. He started his career as a patrolman and was then promoted to a Juvenile Officer. He was later promoted to Sergeant and then Lieutenant in the detective bureau. He enjoyed serving and protecting the community. He treated everyone with respect. During his employment with the Freeport Police Department, he worked part time also as a security officer for Freeport Memorial Hospital. The day after retiring from the police department he started as the supervisor of security at FHN Hospital. He retired from FHN Hospital in 2011.

In 1963 he met the love of his life, Juanita Schoonhoven. They were married on February 14, 1964. They were married for 57 years, until she went on to her heavenly home. These two were an inseparable couple. They lived the majority of their life in Freeport. They had two wonderful daughters, Colleen and Sherry.

They served side by side in many ministries at the churches they were members of. While attending Open Bible Church he was a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, board member and worship leader. He loved when he had the opportunity to fill a pulpit for a Pastor who was on vacation. While attending Crossroads Community Church, he was an elder. He and Juanita served side by side as small group leaders first for new believers. They loved discipling new Christians in their new walk with the Lord. They also served as members of the Intercessors prayer team. Jim loved Jesus with all his heart and soul. He was not ashamed of his relationship with Jesus and would share this love with those he met. His desire is for all to have a relationship and not just a knowledge of Jesus. His greatest desire is to see everyone saved and meeting up with him in heaven.

In Jim’s leisure time he enjoyed fishing. He and Juanita spent many vacations on fishing trips either with the two of them or their youngest daughter and her family. They also enjoyed traveling numerous times to Branson, MO and the Smoky Mountains as a couple and with their oldest daughter and her family. They were also blessed to travel with great groups of People from the State Bank, Mexico, Hawaii and cruises. They enjoyed their trips to CA to visit their granddaughter and family. He loved to watch his great grandkids play tee-ball up to baseball. There was never a dull moment when family got together. Family time was very important to him. His grandkids and great-grandkids meant the world to him. You could always find him playing some type of card game. He played cards monthly with a great group of men.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Colleen (Don) Russell and Sherry Harris; six grandchildren, Kristina (Pat) Brown, Austin (Jamie) Russell and Kaitlyn (Chris) Curtis; Nicholle Crawford, Derrick (Ellen) Wildes and Ryan (Lindsey) Wildes. Also 12 great grandchildren, Briley and Jaxon Brown; Ron Douma, Raven Russell and soon to be new arrival Roman Russell; Keeley and Kensley Curtis; Colin Crawford and Maxon Tapia; Finley and Bennett Wildes and Landon and Kaylee Wildes. Two sisters Mary Heck and Barbara Watry. One sister-in-law, Florene Stultz. One brother-in-law, Delmar Schultz. Along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Juanita Harris, parents Herman and Claire Harris, sister Kay Harris. Visitation will be Thursday May 2, 2024 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM and one hour prior to the service. Funeral service 10:30 AM on Friday May 3, 2024. Both will be held at Crossroads Community Church, Freeport IL.