Harris, J. Doyle

J. Doyle Harris, 85, of Iowa City, former longtime resident of Coralville, died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, at Mercy Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 13, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Burial, with military honors, will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

James Doyle Harris was born Sept. 17, 1925, in New Virginia, Iowa, the son of Hylvin and Edith (Williams) Harris. Doyle was united in marriage to Margaret Harsh on Dec. 17, 1945. He served in the United States Army during World War II. Doyle began a career with Hy-Vee that had spanned over 60 years, and at the time of his death was the longest employed employee in its history. “He was that helpful smile in every aisle.”

Doyle was a member of the Coralville United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, and Elks Club.

His family includes his wife of nearly 66 years, Margaret; three children, Sue Byers and her husband, Ed, Janene Seemuth and her husband, Steve, and Richard and his wife, Naomi; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three brothers, Gene, Russell and Keith Harris; and four sisters, Carolyn Goodrich, Elaine Bullard, Virginia Shaver and Vickie Asmus.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Doyle's memory to the Coralville United Methodist Church or Mercy Hospital Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Doyle's family and his services.