Kenneth Duane Harris

The Life and Legacy of Kenneth D. Harris

​On Monday, February 21, 1949, in Long Beach, California; God blessed the union of Gerald and Catherine Harris, with their son, Kenneth Duane Harris. Kenny, a highly, intuitive, artistic, and compassionate child, was one of six other children which included a half-sister. He was very close to his family and often recalled memories as a child of pranks that he played on his sister, following his brothers around, and advice from both his father and mother. The family moved into their first home in Placentia, California in 1956.

After the passing of his father, Kenny, his siblings, and their mother Catherine moved around before settling in Santa Ana, California. He was drafted into the Army in 1969 and stationed in Fort Hood, Texas. While in the Army he had the opportunity to travel the world and after he completed his military service, he moved back to Long Beach.

His mother taught him at an early age about the Lord and helped build his spiritual foundation. As he grew and matured spiritually, he became a Bible scholar and missionary through the Campus Crusade for Christ. John, affectionately called by his sister Pam, later became a member and Minister at the Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ in Long Beach, where he preached the Word of God and hosted numerous revivals.

A lifelong learner who had a passion for working with his hands and acquiring new skills, he pursued art, drafting, law enforcement, real estate, and medicine. He ultimately began his civil service career for the City of Long Beach where he was promoted numerous times until he retired after 34 years of service.

He enjoyed a very comfortable retirement where he relished in his peace, private time, cooking new and delicious meals and routine. He found those qualities in the places where he lived during his retirement: twenty-six acres of woods in Palestine Texas, where he fished from his six-acre lake and raised goats, chickens, and turkeys; the picturesque backdrop of the mountains in San Jacinto, California where he sat poolside and fed Koi fish in his hand-built pond; or the desert plains and canyon in Kingman, Arizona where he enjoyed his uninterrupted views from his mountain top private fort. Wherever he lived, he cherished connecting with God through reading and writing, long conversations on the phone with family and friends, watching the sci-fi channel or a movie from his enormous movie collection, his drives into town for menudo from his favorite restaurant, or playing with one of his four-wheeled toys. He had an unparallel fashion style, impeccable interior design sense, wisdom beyond his years, and a charisma that captured everyone’s heart.

He leaves to cherish ​his memory and legacy, wife, Terran, his children: Delisa (Raul), Dione (Raymond), Derrick Duane (Latecia), stepchildren: Tynailda, Melvin, Kelvin.

Six grandchildren: Derrion, Duane, Davion, Sophia, Emilia, Monique. Eleven step-grandchildren: Ray Ray, DaVaughn, Nathan, Tasia, Felicia Billingslea, Becky, Erica L., Tyron, KeShawn, Ava, Camron, Seven step great-grandchildren: Jordan, Jaylon, JaNisha, Juelle, Synncere, Tyron, Diara. His sister Jean (TX). Former wife, Carol, along with a host of nephews, nieces, relatives, loved ones, and many dear friends that he shared his life with.

He was predeceased by his former wife Etta, his parents, and his siblings.
 

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