Virgil Austin Harris

Virgil Austin Harris, 91, of Pass Christian, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Virgil was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. A hero to many.

Virgil and Margaret met at Colorado State University and were married for over 68 years. He was a Korean War veteran, and served on the destroyer USS Lofberg of the Pacific 7th Fleet. He was a Grand Master Duplicate Bridge player, and worked as an Engineer and executive for Shell Oil Company running exploration and production in the Gulf of America. During his years in Montana, he was an avid Pheasant hunter and fisherman.

Following his 33 years career at Shell Oil, he was the director of the Clean Gulf Association and afterwards worked in Azerbaijan as an oil consultant. Virgil was very active in Pass Christian. He served as President of the Historical Society, Director of Art in the Pass, President of Lighthouse Society, and Friends of Library. He was a recipient of the Pass Christian Citizen of the Year award. Virgil was Deacon and Treasurer at Old Town Presbyterian Church for many years. Virgil will be missed by all who knew him.

Virgil was preceded in death by a daughter, Gretchen Jeanette Harris; parents, Walter and Edith Harris; and five siblings, George Harris, Verdon Harris, Stephen Harris, Marge "Dolly" Long, and Freida Harris.

He is survived by five sons, William Harris (Julie), Michael Harris (Judy), Jeffrey Harris (Cyndi), Matthew Harris (Tina), and Hank Greenwald (Cynthia); six grandchildren, Joseph Austin Harris (Brooke), Nicholas Jacobs Harris (Mercedes), David William Harris, Nicholas Ritter (Olivia), Camile Megan Harris (Aubrey), Austin Charles Harris, and Caroline Cecile Harris; two great-grandchildren, Jacob Thomas Harris and Parker Jane Harris; and siblings, John Wayne Harris (Marie), Barbara Jean Battaia (Jim), and Chris Vincent Harris (Rose).

Services will take place on Monday, June 2nd at Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay Saint Louis, MS. Visitation from 10am till 11am with U.S. Navy Honors and Funeral to begin at 11am. Private interment will take place in the Live Oak Cemetery in Pass Christian, MS.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Virgil Austin Harris.