Carl James Harris, affectionately known as "Tuffy", peacefully left us on the morning of March 22, 2024. He was 84-years-old.

Carl was born and raised in Malden, Missouri where he worked on the farm with his family. As a young man Carl loved aviation and mechanics. He joined the United States Air Force and traveled the world serving as Crew Chief on his beloved C-130s. In later years he lived in Little Rock, Arkansas and finally settled in Panama City, Florida.

In 1981 he married his forever love Anne, and they lovingly blended their families together. After retiring from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant, he put his mechanical inclination to work, and opened Harris Air-conditioning and Refrigeration. Shortly after he began a new business SouthEastern Import Engines and a repair shop.

His weekends were filled with building and flying his model airplanes… and sometimes spectacularly crashing them. A natural storyteller, Carl always had an adventurous tale to share. Known for his good humor, he loved making new friends and fishing partners.

Carl was extremely kind and a very patient father. He will be forever missed in the heart of his loved ones, though they may find solace that he is reunited with his sweetheart Anne, who left us just a few weeks ago.

He is survived by his children, Shawn Harris (Omar), Michael Gailfoil (Deana), Leighanne Vasquez (Javier); his grandchildren, Chad, Kristen, Kimberly, Jennifer, and Lucia; as well as several great-grand children, and many nieces and nephews.

He also leaves behind his close friends Harriet Jernigan, Linda Mills, Shirley and Marion Daniels, Leonard and Helen Johns, and Sonny and Judy Hardy.

Carl was predeceased by his wife Anne Daffin Harris, his son, Christopher Scott Gailfoil, his parents Jess Willis Harris and Alberta Matilda Harris, siblings, Violet Kimbrough, Glenn Harris, Laverne Stewart, Vernitta Cowell, Thomas Harris, Kenneth Harris, and Ronnie Harris.

There will be a visitation on Wednesday, April 3rd from 4-6 pm and  services will be held on Thursday, April 4th at 11 am. Both will take place at Wilson's Funeral Home in Panama City, FL.

The family would like to extend a huge thank you to the kind and attentive staff members at Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans Nursing Home and Emerald Coast Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either of these organizations or the charities below.

Disabled American Veterans

https://dav.org

Hearing Health Foundation

https://hearinghealthfoundation.org