Kenneth Donald Harris Jr. passed away peacefully in St. Johns on March 12, 2026. Born in Williamston, Michigan on November 11, 1938, he attended Williamston public schools where he met Johonna Kay Boyd. They married at the Methodist Church in Williamston on May 29, 1957, and later settled on a farm in St. Johns, where they raised their four children: Tamra, Andrea, Kenneth III, and Nathan. Ken delighted in watching his children participate in sporting events and racing, and he remained actively involved with 4-H for many years.
Ken worked as a tool and die maker for General Motors and advanced to the role of tooling engineer. He retired in 1999 to devote more time to his family. Throughout his life he retained an engineer’s mind, always seeking better ways to solve problems and staying busy with projects for himself, his family, and friends.
In retirement, Ken and Johonna traveled extensively, visiting Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, Puerto Vallarta, Scotland, and Ireland. Beginning with a timeshare purchase in Mexico in 1993, they spent the next three decades welcoming family and friends to Cancun and Playa del Carmen, creating many cherished memories together.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Donald Harris Sr. and Ruth Grace (Niemann) Harris, and by his wife of 67 years, Johonna Kay (Boyd) Harris. Ken is survived by his children Tammy (Ted) Ashley of St. Johns, Michigan, Andrea Harris of Grand Junction, Colorado, Kenneth (Chris) Harris III of Palmetto, Florida, Dana Swanson of St. Johns, Michigan, and Nathan (Tammy) Harris of New Hudson, Michigan; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brothers Keith Harris and Kirk (Cherie) Harris; and many extended family members. His humor, practical guidance, and deep dedication to family will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Shared Memories
No memories have been shared yet. Be the first to leave one.