James Earl Harness, Jr., 96, of Lake City

James Earl Harness, Jr., 96, of Lake City, Tennessee, known as “Junior” to family and friends, went to his heavenly home on February 27, 2026.

He was born on February 22, 1930, in Penn Lee, Virginia, to James Earl Harness, Sr. and Esther Mae (Sharp) Harness Johnson.

Junior was a faithful member of Island Ford Baptist Church in Lake City, Tennessee. He lived through nearly a century of change and never stopped adapting, learning, and growing. He possessed a sharp mind and a deep curiosity about the world around him. He had a lifelong love of history and technology. Even at 96 years old, he enjoyed using his iPhone and iPad to read the news, watch documentaries and movies, and playing games like Mah Jong and Solitaire. His curiosity never faded, and he embraced each new advancement with enthusiasm.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (Matt) Ayers of Chattanooga, Tennessee; grandchildren, John Marshall, Andre, Nicole, Angelyn, and Jackson; and great-grandchildren, Keegan, Kaison, Kambree, and Kolton.

He is also survived by his sister, Lorene Robbins; his brother, Leonard Harness; son-in-law, Richard Harmon, and daughter-in-law, Tracy Leonard. He leaves behind his nephew, Kenny (Debbie) Sharp; nephew, Tim (Angie) Harness; nieces, Susie (Lendon) Wilson, Doris “Cookie” Sharp, and Tracy (Mike) Williams, along with many beloved great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Martha (Mathews) Harness; his daughter, Jeane; his son, Jonathan; his parents; stepfather Hugh Johnson, his brother, Charles Harness and sister-in-law, Frankie; his sister, Ruth Sharp and brother-in-law, Arnold; his brother-in-law, Howard Robbins, and niece Ann Harness Orrick.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at Hatmaker Funeral Home in Rocky Top, Tennessee, on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Visitation: 11:00 am -12:30 pm. Service will be at 12:30 pm.

Burial will follow at Campbell County Memorial Gardens. During this service, his beloved son, Jonathan Harness, who preceded him in death, will be laid to rest beside his father, bringing them together once again.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Island Ford Baptist Church, Rocky Top, TN.