Clarence Harris Jr.

Clarence "Butch" Harris Jr. AKA "Brother Butch" transitioned to be with the Lord on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Butch was born the only son and youngest child to Clarence and Mary Harris, July 5th, 1955 in Youngstown Ohio. He was a1973 graduate of North High School and after graduation entered the United States Air Force for two years before returning to Youngstown. He worked briefly in the steel mill before finding employment with the State of Ohio at Woodside Receiving Hospital. He also enrolled at Youngstown State University where he began his lifelong quest of learning and questioning the status quo.

Upon the closure of Woodside Hospital Butch chose to move to Columbus where his twin sister Clarissa resided and transferred to the Timothy B. Moritz Forensic Facility eventually taking the position as a correction officer. Butch worked at the forensic facility until his retirement July 2011.

It was in Columbus that Butch met Lois Lockett, soon to be his wife and the mother of their twins Clarence "Bubba" and Clarissa "ReRe" Harris. Sadly, Lois departed this life far too soon, in September 2001. As he often shared with everyone he met, "I'm a twin who had twins".

Upon his arrival in Columbus, Butch became involved in black cultural studies, attending study groups, meeting with various local and national foundational Black Americans and Black Activists, and experts in black history. He developed a quest for learning, scouring stores for books on religion and history; especially the history of the black race. As his internet surfing skills grew, he became a passionate pursuer of information, downloading videos, creating documents and sharing his knowledge with everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life Lois; his parents; siblings: Dolores Williams, Rose Hensley and Brenda Bourne, all of Youngstown Ohio, sisters-in-law: Diane Nix and Angie Sanders.

He leaves to mourn his passing, but to celebrate his life and legacy, his Twins: Clarence Shaka and Clarissa Rashida Harris; his Twin Sister: Clarissa and his Sister: Rita Underwood of Youngstown, Ohio; Special Nephews: Devin Harris-Hampton and Daniel "Lil D" Nix; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, Sister-in-Law: Geri Sanders; Brothers-in-Law: Tyrone and Daniel Nix, Willie Lockett, and Andre Sanders of Atlanta, GA; Special Friends: Glenn Carter and Maurice Sandifer.

We all will mourn the passing of Butch, but we encourage you to remember his words "the blessing of family".