In Memoriam: Phil Harris

Phil Harris
1957 ~ 2022

It is with great sadness we share the passing of Phil Harris, former Orkin Southeast Division President. Phil passed away peacefully on August 17, 2022, after many years of fighting illnesses. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jacqueline; his daughter Nicolette, her husband Jay and their son Jameson; and his son Taylor. 

Phil was with Orkin for 15 years, where he retired as Southeast Division President. He started his time at Orkin as a Region Manager, and after eight years, he became the Southeast Division Sales Manager. Then, he was promoted to Southeast Division Vice President where he served for a year before becoming Division President. Before joining the pest control industry, he enjoyed a successful 26-year career in the textile industry.     

"I will always remember Phil as a

coach and mentor. He taught us to ask 'what if' when tackling complex problems. He was a student of learning, and he never stopped improving himself and his teammates," said Freeman Elliott, President of Orkin. "I feel gifted and grateful to have had a front row seat to his many successes, and I feel such a loss with his passing. He was my friend."

Phil was well known for sharing short, simple inspirational messages with family, friends and colleagues to motivate them to achieve their peak performance. He drew many of his favorite quotes from legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden. In sharing one of Phil's favorite John Wooden quotes, Phil's family hopes you will be inspired to become a blood and organ donor: "You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

Written by ORKIN staff.