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Tommy Lankford Harris, 78, of Arizona, passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Thomas, also known as “Tommy,” was born on Sept. 16, 1943, in Suffolk to the late Lankford Washington and Anna Hagge Harris.

He was a man of many talents. He worked with his father in his construction company. He built and raced cars, he was a mechanic and ran his own automotive shop. He served in the Army National Guard as the Head of Weapon Armory.

He went to college for law enforcement and joined The Nansemond Police Department also serving as a recovery diver. Thomas then earned his electrical engineering degree. He then went to work Vi-Tex, a printing company, where he disassembled a printing press and flew to England to reassemble it. He went to work for Allied Colloids and went with a chemist to England to help establish a new plant in England. After moving to Buckingham County, he went to work at Buckingham Slate Company, as plant manager, then worked for many years at Solite Company.

Thomas was a history buff. He enjoyed relic hunting as well as many other hobbies. He was a gunsmith, enjoyed competitive shooting, hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles, scuba diving and spending time with his family.

In addition to his parents, Thomas was preceded in death by an infant daughter and his sister, E. Joanne Harris.

Thomas is survived by his children and grandchildren: son, Steven Thomas Ashby, of Windsor, and his sons Steven Cole Ashby (and daughter Ava Grace), and Jesse Lee Ashby; daughter Lisa Dawn Harris, of Hampton, and her daughters Ember Louise Jenison and Lindsay Skye Jenison; son, Thomas Jonathan Harris of Arvonia, and his daughter Kelsey Shane Call; daughter, Melissa Jo Harris of Dillwyn, and her sons William Wesley Craft and Henry Wyatt Craft; and daughter April Susanne Hines of Hayes, and her two sons Trent Thomas Hines and Christian James Hines.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences and comments can be left at obituaries.virginiacremate.com.