Phillip Wayne Harris

Phillip Wayne Harris, Sr., 84, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2025 at his home in Towson, MD. Phil was born on January 24, 1941 in Raleigh, NC and was the only child of James Edward Clarence and Alma Frances Powell Harris. As a child, Phil’s family relocated to Washington, D.C. and then Hyattsville, MD where he lived until he was married.

Phil was a graduate of Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, MD and the University of Maryland, College Park where he earned a B.S. in Information Management Systems. Phil spent the bulk of his career with the federal government, working first for the US Postal Service, then moving to the Department of Defense. He worked in information technology at several Department of Defense agencies before joining DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) where he worked until his retirement.

In 1962, Phil married Florence Dietrich, his high school sweetheart. They began their married life in Greenbelt, MD before settling in University Park, MD where they lived for 54 years. There, Phil coached basketball for his sons and spent hundreds of hours as head timer at swim meets in support of his six children. He also spent two terms as President of University Hills Swimming Pool.

Tennis was one of Phil’s lifelong passions. He played for over 50 years, starting a neighborhood tennis ladder and developing longtime friendships with the same group of buddies. He continued playing tennis several times per week until well into his retirement.

Though he was an only child, both of his parents came from large families with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins with whom he remained close. He vacationed with family at Wrightsville and Oak Island beaches in North Carolina from childhood and through August of 2024.

Phil was a true people-person. His humble, honest nature and quick wit made him an excellent storyteller and he enjoyed talking, reminiscing and laughing with family and friends. He was generous, genuine and sincere, so you always knew what you’d get from him, which kept you coming back for more. He loved listening to and singing along to music, and his kids have the fondest memories of car rides with the windows down and the radio up, singing along to James Taylor, Supertramp, Harry Chapin, or Bonnie Raitt (usually on a spontaneous trip to get an ice cream cone).

Phil didn't seek extravagance, instead he invested his time, love and energy into the people he cared about. He was a family man and a devoted provider. His absence as patriarch is, and will forever be, deeply missed.

Phil spent the last year of his life in Towson, MD where he and Flo were visited daily by their ever-growing family. He is survived by his wife, Florence Dietrich Harris, four children: Sharyl “Sherrie” Jenkins (Jay), Randall “Randy,” Amy Rehkemper (Dave) and Anna Munno (CJ), eight grandchildren: Sydney (Justin), Skyler, Spenser (Andrea), Sawyer, Quinn, Maisie, Clay and Knox; and one great-grandchild: Juniper. Phil is also survived by his in-laws: Jeannie Dietrich Litterst Vezeau (John) and Charles Dietrich, D.D.S. (Susan), and nieces: Catherine Pulse, D.D.S. (Doug), and Carolyn Rutherford (Matt). He was preceded in death by two children: Elizabeth “Beth,” and Phillip Jr. “Flip,” and in-laws: Chuck Litterst and Margaret Dietrich.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for August 14, 2025, in the Catonsville, MD area. For information on attending the celebration, please email sherflo6703@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity in Phil's name.