Thomas Jefferson Harris, Jr.

Thomas J. Harris, Jr. (Toby) was born on March 3, 1957 to Thomas J. and Bettye J. Harris at Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington, D.C. Toby was a member of Spirit of Elijah Kingdom Church where he was a Deacon and a member of the Board of Directors. Toby was a member of the Third Degree Freemason Ionic Lodge #17. He graduated from Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland in 1975. He then attended Bowie State University, where he made a lot of friends as an R.A. in Holmes Hall. After college he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service. He had worked for 30 years when he became ill. He was Manager of Customer Services Operations in Alexandria, Virginia. Toby was a devoted dad and granddad, some of his biggest smiles are seen in pictures playing with his grandkids. Toby loved collecting things (race cars, RC cars, comics, football jerseys, hats, sports cards and watches, just to name a few). Each of his children followed in his footsteps in their own way. Toby loved music (especially 70's funk), he passed his love and appreciation of music and traveling on to his baby girl, Lisa. Chris also picked up the music bug from his father and began DJing in Washington DC. His son Todd followed in his footsteps working at the postal service, and Joseph attended Bowie State University and was an R.A. in Holmes Hall. In the midst of an extended illness Toby demonstrated the same strength and will that defined his life. Toby was at perfect peace with God's plan for his life. On May 26, 2013 at Tate Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family, God called him home. He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted parents, Thomas J. and Bettye Harris; three sons, Joseph (Monica), Christopher, Todd (Jasmine) and one daughter, Lisa; and their mother, Cathi Harris; one brother, Ricardo (Sarah); two grandsons, Jahzeel and Zion; two granddaughters, Janiah and Azanna, one nephew, Miles, one niece, Isabel; one aunt, Anne Benson, and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.