Charles "Chuck" Harris

Charles Farrell Harris, 84, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Durham, NC.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City, NC on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

Chuck, also known as Charlie, was born at home in Moravia, NY on December 6,1940. The son of William S. and Nellie May (Van Camp) Harris, he enjoyed an idyllic childhood roaming through fields and forests, hunting, fishing, and trapping. After graduating from Moravia Central School, he entered the Navy and was always proud of the time he spent working on the “roof” of the Aircraft Carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59). Upon separation from military service, he studied at Auburn Community College and later earned a degree in Agriculture (Entomology) at theUniversity of Idaho in 1967. Out of college he became a National Park Service Ranger. It was during this time that he met his wife, Marsha Kybic, in Rocky Mountain National Park. They were married on July 2, 1974 in Estes Park, CO. His career lasted thirty years in National Parks including Natchez Trace Parkway in TN, Lake Mead National Recreation Area in NV, Rocky Mountain National Park in CO, Badlands National Monument in SD, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in NC. He moved to the NC coast on January 1, 1985, for his final assignment at Cape Lookout National Seashore, and lived in Morehead City, NC from then until present day. He retired from the park service in 1998.

Chuck was a member of the National Association of Park Rangers and retired from the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve with 26 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion Post 46 of Morehead City. He became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City in 1988 and served as a Stephen Minister. In later years he was occupied with the study of history, mostly military history, and visiting American Civil War Battlefields. He served as a Carteret County Guardian ad Litem, advocating for children for over 20 years. Chuck was an avid genealogist; family was extremely important to him. He was proud of his family, his career, and volunteer service.

Chuck is preceded in death by his parents; brother, William L. Harris; sister, Carol Ann Miller; and brother-in-law, Stuart Miller, all of Moravia, NY.

Chuck is survived by Marsha, his loving wife of 51 years; their son Nathaniel J. Harris and daughter-in-law Stacy; and grandsons Brandon and Lathan of Durham, NC; son, Charles C. Harris and granddaughter Miranda of Nederland, TX; and nephew, Michael Miller and wife Shari; grandnephew, Zachary Miller and wife Kim; and their children, Abigail and Jonah; grandnephew, Tyler Miller, all residing in Moravia, NY.

Memorial donations can be made to any humane society or animal shelter/rescue, Guardian ad Litem program, nature preservation organization, or a blood donation thinking of Chuck as you give of yourself.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home & Crematory of Morehead City, NC.