John Luther Harris, Sr. was born on August 16,1931 in Walnut Lake, Arkansas to the union of Lela Williams and Cornelius Harris, Sr. His sister, Willie Lee Flie and his brother, Cornelius Harris, Jr. and son Michael preceded him in death. John confessed his belief in God at an early age. His relationship with God was highly personal and a private matter for him. The Harris family migrated to St. Louis in 1940. In 1942, they moved to Chicago. In 1951, John joined the United States Air Force and served his country during the Korean Conflict. While on active duty in Korea, he worked as a Military Policeman, truck driver and obtained his GED. On November 8th, 1952, he met and married the loved of his life, Bessie Lee Hogan. God graced them with five children (John, Michael, Donald, Bernadette and Greg) and a marriage that endured over five decades. Upon leaving the Air Force, he worked for the Navy. Later, he graduated from trade school as a body and fender man/mechanic. In the 1960's. John worked for the Chicago Transit Authority as a bus driver. John was one of the first African Americans hired as a Claims adjuster by Allstate Insurance. Allstate loaned John to OIC as an instructor to train students in the body/fender and mechanic trades. In the mod 1970's, he started his own business, Later; he worked for a Buick Dealership in South Bend, Indiana. In 1972, he was hired by the United States Post Office and worked there until his retirement in 1992. He leaves his wife, Bessie; four children, John (Dorotha), Donald (Sherrie), Bernadette (James) and Gregory; his sister, Rebecca Odom; grandchildren, Denise Cousins, James R. Henderson, III, and John L. Harris, III, Whitney Houston, Taylor Nicole Harris, Gabrielle Henderson, and Jordan Harris. Five great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends. He was affectionately known as "Granddad" to many of the neighborhood children he adopted. On July 16th, John made his transition after a lengthy illness. He shall always remain our loving "Rustler". The night before his death, he was doing what he did best laughing, telling stories and jokes. John was blessed to have died the way he lived – enjoying his family, friends and home.