Thomas Edward Harris, skilled chemist

Thomas Edward Harris, 75, of Lewes passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, surrounded by his family. 

Tom was born in Roanoke, Va., April 7, 1943, to Thomas Browning Harris and Thelma Willetta Kegley. He was raised in southwest Virginia, primarily in Wytheville, where he graduated George Wythe High School in 1960.  He graduated Roanoke College in 1964 with a degree in chemistry and earned a Master in Business Administration from Loyola College in Baltimore, Md., in 1977. 

Tom's skills in chemistry were put to use at Baltimore Gas and Electric Company as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Martel Laboratories in Baltimore. He was also proud of his earlier work at Schaefer and American Beer Company.  

He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1967-69 as a chemist. Later, Tom served his community as a community watch leader; youth softball and soccer coach; and member, deacon, trustee and treasurer of First Presbyterian Church of Bel Air, Md.  He joined Bethel United Methodist Church upon moving to Lewes in 2014.  Tom was known for his dry sense of humor, and love of all things analytical and data-driven.

Tom's most lasting legacy is his family.  He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Sarah (Barlow) Harris; his children Sarah Elizabeth (Betsie) Camilliere and Thomas Scott Harris; his son-in-law James Camilliere and daughter-in-law Sarah Blackburn; his grandchildren Harris Alexander Camilliere, Sadie Elizabeth Camilliere, Peter James Camilliere, Magnolia Mareen Harris-Blackburn, and Violet Mae Harris-Blackburn; and his beloved cousins, relatives, co-workers and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 13, in the sanctuary of Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th St., Lewes.  A time of visitation will begin at 2 p.m.  Interment will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 14, at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.

Memorial gifts can be sent in Thomas’ name to either The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Donation Processing, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014, or Sussex DE Parkinson’s Group, P.O. Box 56, Lewes, DE 19958.

Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services, Milton.