Jay Arthur Harris

Jay Arthur Harris Born on April 22, 1941, The Shepard called Jay on November 29, 2024. Jay will be seen again by his wife Susan, daughter Jennifer, her husband Jeff, and their daughter Julia, Jay’s granddaughter. Jay will also be missed by his only brother Daun, wife Joan as well as his cousins from across the pond, Tony and Roger Langford. Jay was born and raised in Chester, a small town near Sioux Falls, SD where he attended school and earned his high school diploma. Jay confirmed his faith in Jesus Christ in his early 20s by a truly beloved religious leader and life coach, David L. Gillespie. After graduating from high school, he attended the state college in Madison, SD which failed to suit his preferences, one of his college professors assisted in his transfer to Stout University, a place that Jay both enjoyed and respected. It was there that he first met his soulmate. Interestingly, years later after traveling to Michigan, Sue rejected Jay’s early attempts at a relationship. Jay relocated to Michigan and continued to write to Susan. After determining that Chrysler Corporation was not for him, Jay began his career working for a gentleman named Dr. Ray Hine. Dr. Hine’s business specialized in building churches and before long Jay helped to fix some of the problems in that business. In was near that time, after being courted over three years that Susan stopped thwarting Jay’s proposals and gave him her hand in marriage. Not long afterward Jay put his carpenter, wood working and fixing (of all things) skills to task when he formed his own corporation. He was intent on giving it a go within his own business. Jay actively purchased refurbished and rented literally dozens of homes to those that were in need. Some of his earnings were off the back of Robert Doutre, one of his former students that he mentored throughout his life. Additional earnings were off the back of his daughter, Jennifer, who at a tender age was truly a skilled laborer. Jay glowed in the knowledge of her abilities and bragged that he had broken every child-labor law that ever was codified. They ultimately moved to Wayne, MI and spent many happy years with that community before making Plymouth, MI their home. Jay provided quality influence in many other young lives through his decade-long volunteering for People-to-People Student Ambassadors. While doing so he guided children as they gained firsthand knowledge of different cultures from Russia to Australia. Throughout Jay’s life he stayed close to the Lord and led others to the Lord. He did this by financial and other support of a least a half dozen missionaries over fifty-six years. He taught boys Sunday school, was an elder, and a member of the choir. More recently he was an active member in many bible studies. Finally, Jay provides financial support to Christian media and sees that people in Israel know that others support them in their struggles. Jay gained many close friends through volunteering at the Model T Garage at The Henry Ford Museum, where he imparted knowledge and gained just as much back from these friends. Wow Dad you did a lot! Finally, he was also an active member of the John Harris Society in Southern England. He did have the great honor of being a past president of that society. Jay: husband, father, father-in-law, Papa, brother, cousin and friend you will be missed. Friends and family will gather for the Memorial Visitation on Thursday, December 19th starting at 10 AM until the 11 AM Memorial Service at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Road West (Between Sheldon and Beck) Plymouth. In lieu of flowers please donate to bsfinternational.org select give now or by check at the memorial service. Of course you can also give to a charity of your choice. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bible Study Fellowship, PO Box 675241, Dallas, TX 75267-5241. To share a message with the family, please use the Share a Memory tab on this webpage.

Jay Arthur Harris

April 22, 1941 - November 29, 2024