Ishamon A. Harris Jr

Ishamon A. Harris Jr., 63, of Fond du Lac, passed away at his home on Tuesday, January 1, 2012.  Ishamon was born on April 14, 1949 in Chicago, IL, a son of Ishamon and Freddie (Cross) Harris Sr.

On October 18, 1975 he married Barbara Ann Vinson in Joliet IL.

He served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969 as an armorer. 

Ishamon attended Joliet Junior College and was employed at a number of places.  He worked for the City of Joliet and the Will County IL Humane Society.  Locally, he was shelter manager at the Fond du Lac County Humane Society, Asset Protection Manager at Sears, and a machinist at R. B. Royal.

Ishamon was a firm believer in community involvement.  After he attended training with the founders of Tangled Web in San Francisco, he created the Peace Rally of Fond du Lac in May of 1996, helped found United for Diversity, was a member of the Equal Opportunities Commission, and the Fair Housing Commission and board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac.  He was also a mentor to local robotics teams, Fondy Fire and Fondy Heat.

Ishamon loved just about everything, including art in which he incorporated all of his life experience to create pieces using metals, stained glass and wood.  He was notorious for giving away his creations to anyone who enjoyed them.  He was proud to have recently begun passing on his skills to anyone interested in learning, particularly his grandsons. 

He is survived by Barbara, his wife for 37 years; two sons, Ishamon III (Amy) and Levi; two grandchildren, Shaman and Guardian; mother, Freddie Grandberry; four brothers, Edward (Joyce) Woods, Napoleon (Linda) Harris, Earl (Nola) Harris and Darrell (Rose) Harris; two sisters, Jacqueline Miles and Barbara (Henry) Davis; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding Ishamon in death are his father; three daughters, Reba Harris, Jacqueline Harris and Leah Harris.

Visitation: The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, January 7, 2012 from 11:00 AM until 1:45 PM, at the Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division St., Fond du Lac. 

Services:  At 2:00 PM on Monday, January 7, a Funeral Service of his life will be celebrated in Zacherl Funeral Home.  Cremation will follow these services.

Memorials may be directed to the family. 

Zacherl Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.  www.zacherlfuneralhome.com