Jay Foster Harris

Jay Foster "Jay Bird" Harris, 83, of Salem, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 24, 2020.

Born in Gary, West Virginia, on July 8, 1937.  Jay was preceded in death by his parents, William Glen Harris and Virginia Pauline Harris. Three brothers, Harry, Alvin and Paul Harris. Ex-wife and friend, Frances Daugherty Gaylor.

Left to cherish his memory are brothers, William (Bill) Harris of Jacksonville FL; Larry J. Harris and wife Tommie of Goldsboro NC; sister, Zuma Truitt of Onancock VA; two sons, Joseph Harris and wife Tammy, of Salem and Jonathan Harris and wife Lynn, of Glen Allen; four grandchildren, Erin and Kristen Harris, of Glen Allen and Kaylee Harris and Kelly Love, of Salem; as well as three great grandchildren, Kinsley, Hayden and Hudson, all of Salem; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jay was proud to serve his country in the US Navy aboard the USS Des Moines from 1958-1961. He was retired from Eli Lilly Inc. and had most recently worked for Checker Leasing Inc. in Roanoke before fully retiring in 2015.

The family would like to thank the staff at the VA Veterans Memory Care unit for their care and support over the last 3 years.

Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lotz Funeral Home Salem on Wednesday, October 28, 2020.  A graveside service will followed the visitation in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens with military honors. Pastor and brother in Christ Ben Lockhart of Salem will be performing the ceremony.

Due to mandates placed by our Governor, we will be following the guidelines for social distancing and masks.

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