Tommie Lee Harris

Tommie Lee Harris, known affectionately as Sunny to many, was born April 15, 1944 to the late Essie L. McKay and Augustus H. Sharkey in Marks, Mississippi.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday March 7, 2026, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline, where military honors will be conducted.

Being the oldest child, He spent his tender years down south between Mississippi and Tennessee prior to relocating to Chicago at the age of 13 with his mother and younger siblings.

Sunny completed his education through the Chicago Public School system. In 1966, He was drafted into the United States Army as a 51B (Carpenter). Sunny completed his AIT in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and was stationed at 633rd Transportation Company, First Army out of Fort Eustis, Virginia and honorably discharged in 1968.

Tommie had accepted The Lord into his life at a very young age. No matter what happened in his life, Tommie stood on his confession of faith. He had also held active positions within the church throughout his life. He was a faithful member at West 95th Oakdale Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. Tommie was often seen in action as an usher, an elder, a choir member, and a male mentor.

All that knew Tommie knew that he was a man with many skills, gifts, and talents. Tommie had built a solid career for himself in the construction industry with well over 55 years before completely retiring in 2020. He had held numerous positions throughout his career by working for several companies including but not limited to Mid American Construction, The Walsh Group, James McHugh Construction, and far more. While teaching many the trade, Tommie’s hands have touched many major construction projects including but not limited to, Isabel Bloom Stores throughout Iowa City, Iowa Lincoln Park Zoo, Altgeld Gardens, The University of Chicago, and the most recent and modernized CTA Bus/Train terminals. Tommie was also an active steward for the Laborers International Union Of North America, Chapter Local 6 since 1994.

On October 24, 1993, Tommie married Angela Driver Harris and the two shared and enjoyed 29 beautiful years of union until her death in 2021.

Tommie engulfed himself in a variety of hobbies with his favorites being fishing, gun collecting, riding his motorcycle, various types of painting including personally painted oil portraits, drawing, road trips, playing cards and spending time with those who wanted to spend the time with him. Over the course of his lifetime, he had mentored many; he always had something for anyone that was willing to listen. None of us will ever forget Tommie’s passionate debating tactics he displayed to any and all no matter if he was right or wrong. Tommie would say “Yeah, well I mean,” at this point. Tommie lived his life his way.

On Saturday, February 21st, 2026, our beloved Tommie answered the call to receive his eternal reward all whilst being surrounded by his loving family at 3:50 in the afternoon in East Moline, Illinois. Preceding him in death are his wife Evangelist Angela D. Harris, his parents Essie McKay and Augustus Sharkey, his stepfather Rev. James Harris Sr., his sisters Juanita Harris and Sherry Hardy, his brothers Walter Harris, Perry Sharkey, Augustus C. Sharkey, Howard Sharkey, and his cousin that was more like a brother to him, Charles “Big” Jefferson.

Those left to cherish Tommie’s memories and carry out his legacy include his daughter Centreece Harris, his sons Aum Mu Ra, Michael Harris, Dennard King, Dion Bracken, his grandchildren Master Sergeant Isaiah D. Harris (Arnie), Michael E. Wilson, Diamante Weather, Iesha D. Robinson (Johnatan), Nehemiah D. Robinson, Malaysia Pope, Malik K. Harris, Michael K. Harris Jr., his great grandson Elijah Wilson, sister Tantileer “Niecy” Sharkey , brothers James “Foot” Harris, Terry Sharkey, brother-in-law Kelvin Britton (Sherry), close friend Johnathan Stapleton, and his dog Nick as well as a host of family and friends.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.