Mr. Thomas G. “Tom” Harris, age 74 of Fayetteville, passed away June 27, 2012.
In the mid 70’s Tom was appointed to the Fayette Planning and Zoning Board and soon became aware that a Land Use Plan was sorely needed. He worked tirelessly to get this in place and was referred to as the father of the Fayette Land Use Plan. He then was elected to the Fayette County Commission as one of the first republican commissioners. He was reelected to a second term but decided to mount a campaign for Senate Seat 34. He did not win, however he remained active in his community and was always interested in our veterans.
He worked with local officials to fund the veterans’ memorial located at the Historic Fayette Courthouse. He collected Civil War memorabilia and has a collection of artifacts from WWII.
He traveled extensively throughout Europe. He visited the Normandy beaches many times. He loved art with the impressionists being his favorites.
He loved his pets, showed Weimaraners and had one of the first champions in Georgia. Then became an avid proponent of foster dogs and wanted to work toward Georgia having a spay and neuter law to help alleviate dogs being turned out. He had two foster dogs and was a member of the Peachtree City Dog Park Association.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Leach Harris.
A memorial service to honor his life was held at Davis-Struempf Chapel on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 3 p.m.
Private interment service will be held at Shady Grove Cemetery in Austell at a later time.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be offered to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105-1942 OR to Georgia Heartland Humane Society, The Tom Harris Memorial Spay/Neuter Fund, P.O. Box 72197, Newnan, Ga. 30271.
Arrangements are entrusted to Davis-Struempf Funeral Home & Crematory, Austell – www.DavisStruempf.com.
