Donald “Donnie” Wayne Harris, 78, passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2022. He was a native of Danville, Virginia, and had been a resident of Hampton for 60 years. 

Donnie worked for Newport News Shipbuilding for seven years and then owned and operated his own business, Harris Truck and Auto Body Shop for 52 years.

His hobbies were fishing, antique cars, and NASCAR. Donnie looked forward to annual trips to Daytona with his friend, Charlie Gary. He owned and built his race cars and they were driven by Johnny Livingston, Morgan Shepard, Billy Adkins, D.J. Valente, and others. His son, Terry took over the wheel after graduating high school in 1983. His latest hobby was driving his golf cart. He was often found driving the children around in it.

Donnie was proud of his children, Dawn Harris, and Terry Harris.  Being a grandfather to Alisha and Jenna kept him busy and he never missed a performance or game. He was seated in the bleachers cheering them on. The great-grandchildren always made him smile and laugh. Logan, Emma, and Hallie had him wrapped around their fingers and he spoiled them all.  

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, Artice Coble and Lono Odell Harris, and his brother, Leonard Odell Harris. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Brenda Ann Harris; daughter, Dawn Marie Harris; son, Terry Wayne Harris (Tammy); two grandchildren, Alisha Barnett (Joshua) and Jenna Harris; three great-grandchildren, Logan, Emma, and Hallie Barnett; three sisters, Barbara Savage, Diann McCormick (Jerry) and Peggy Harris; brother, Mario Lamborgini (Georgia); and multiple nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at Liberty Baptist Church, 1021 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA.  At the family’s request, all memorial donations should be made in Donnie’s memory to ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (https://www.stjude.org).

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.