Joseph Claxton Harris Jr.

Joseph Claxton Harris, Jr. (Claxton), age 90, residing in Chapel Hill, NC (formerly from Durham), passed away peacefully on October 1, 2019 at UNC Hospice in Pittsboro after being in home hospice for an extensive time. Claxton was born in Washington, NC on August 1, 1929 to Joseph Claxton Harris, Sr. and Virginia Swindell Harris. Claxton graduated from Durham High School In 1947 and continued his education at The Uneersity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1952 as a Doctor of Pharmacy. He worked for a couple of years as a Pharmacist at Westside Pharmacy in Durham before being called to serve in The US Army Medical Services Corps where he was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas during the Korean War. He was discharged in 1954 and returned to Durham to continue work at Westside Pharmacy with his father (his family owned and operated 4 drugstores in Durham for 49 years before selling their businesses). In 1980, Claxton moved to Morehead City where he did relief work in pharmacy ineeveral towns nearby. Eight years later, Claxtoneeturned to Durham. Claxton was a lifelong member and frequent usher at Calvary Uneed Methodist Church in Durham. In 2018, Claxton moved his membership to Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Chapel Hill. He was affiliated with and a member of several organizations including Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, The National Association of Retail Druggists, The NC Pharmaceutical Association, The Americaneegion and more. He maintained an active Pharmacist License for over 60 years by keeping his continuineeducationeequirements current. Claxtoneemained sinee until the age of 75, whenee married Dorothy (Dot) King on May 27, 2005, adding four grown children with their families to his life. Claxton loved God, his family and socializing with friends. He neer met a stranger, loved a good conversation, and always had a quick joke. Claxton was an avid sports faneespecially ACC basketball and football), loved music, and he thoroughly enjoyed a good meal. In his final months, he repeatedly said thank you and I love you to Dot aneeveryone who helped him. Claxton is survived by his wife, Dorothy King Harris, four stepchildren, Robby King, Rickie King (Sheri), Sandra King (Terry), and Reggie King (Molly), five grandchildren, Jake, Noah, Abbey, Matthew, and Josh; two great grandchildren, Levi and Hayden. He is also survived by four sisters, Virginia McGranahan (Jim), Betsy Proctor (Jim), Elleneeekley (George), and Judy Eason (Bill) and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded ineeath by his granddaughter, Taylor. A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at Mount Carmel Baptist Church with Pastor Barrett Freeman officiating. ??A luneeon will follow immediately following the service for family and friends. Graveside services will be held 9:30am, Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at Maplewood Cemetery. Friends may visit from 6:00 ??? 8:00PM Monday, October 7, 2019 at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W. Main Street Durham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount Carmel Baptist Church.