Renard G. Harris

In Loving Memory of Renard Gordon “Junior” Harris (91), (Feb. 16, 1933-Oct. 15, 2024) Fisherman, Navy Veteran, and Master of Rigging… in More Ways Than One

Both the fish and the ladies can breathe a sigh of relief today, because Renard “Junior” Harris has finally put down his rod at the age of 91. Likely the original inspiration for MacGuyver, he was a brilliant engineer who could “Junior rig” anything to work—be it a boat engine, a broken radio, or a wayward grandchild. Junior was a force of nature and a gourmet cook with charm as slippery as the fish he caught. He joined the Navy with pride in 1950 to serve his country in the Korean War… and his fellow sailors, and eventually family, with stories they couldn’t un hear. Whether he was recalling a harrowing storm or a saucy encounter from shore leave, not a moment was too small (or too scandalous) to escape his steel-trap memory. He could recount every detail of his life at sea, as well as every flirtatious exchange he ever had with the ladies. And trust us, there were many.

But there was one woman who stood out above the rest: His beloved wife, Martha. She was the love of his life, and despite his tendency to flirt like it was still 1952, no one ever captured his heart like she did. His love for her was the one constant in his otherwise whirlwind journey through the decades. He adored her, often giving her private karaoke serenades, and everyone knew she was the real catch of his life. Their love was something fierce, deep, and unmistakable. She was his anchor, the one person who could keep him grounded even as he made everyone else in the room laugh or cringe. Together, they shared a bond that could outlast any storm.

Junior leaves behind a family who may never fully recover from his many questionable stories, including his daughters, Myra and Lisa, son, Roy, grandchildren, Christopher, Jordon, Candice, Jesse, and Jason, 12 great-grandchildren, multiple great-great and great-great-great grandchildren, and siblings Bernie and Rosalyn.  He is preceded in death by a son, Michael, his wife, Martha, and siblings Phillip, Edith, and Ruth. 

As we say goodbye, we can only imagine Junior is up there right now, sweet-talking angels, fixing heaven’s squeaky gates, and recounting things that might make St. Peter reconsider his criteria for entrance into Paradise. 

So here’s to Junior: the man, the myth, the legend- whose lifetime bans from many an establishment have finally expired. The one who always knew how to rig things up, reel ’em in, and tell a story no one could ever forget. May your lines be tight and your memory live on, unfiltered and uncensored, just the way you liked it.

Cremation was chosen according to Renard’s wishes.  

Brown Funeral Home in Milltown, Indiana is entrusted with the arrangements.

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