October 10, 2026
Heart of Brevard
Jonathan Rich
BrevardBeagle.com
Former Brevard Mayor James “Jimmy” Harris, 64, passed away peacefully at his home Friday after an extended illness.
Harris moved to Brevard from South Florida in 1972 when his father bought the former feed and seed store that would later become Harris Ace Hardware on Main Street in downtown Brevard.
He was elected mayor in 1999, the youngest person to hold that office in Brevard, and was reelected seven times. The Gardner-Webb University graduate served as mayor for 22 years before retiring from that office in 2021 with the longest mayoral tenure in the city’s history.
Heart of Brevard
“Jimmy Harris was an amazing mayor, dedicated leader, and tireless community champion,” remarked Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof on Saturday. “You could always approach Jimmy and know he would listen and try to help. He expertly guided Brevard through two decades of change ensuring our community continued to thrive. We have and will continue to build on the legacy he left.”
City of Brevard
As a local leader and small business owner, Harris saw the community through local economic shifts, a nationwide recession, the 9-11 tragedy, and a global pandemic. He often publicly pondered how to balance Brevard’s potential for growth with its small-town spirit and charm, and the impact of his leadership was felt statewide.
In 2022 Harris was inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest award for state service, by Gov. Roy Cooper given “to persons for exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and their communities that is above and beyond the call of duty and which has made a significant impact and strengthened North Carolina.”
Harris’ mayorship was marked by his affability, as he could often be found chatting with Brevard natives and newcomers on Main Street. His leadership continues to serve as an inspiration to local government officials such as Brevard City Council Mayor Pro Tempore Aaron Baker.
“Mayor Harris was a giant in our little town. In 2021, when I was deciding whether to run for office for the first time as a 35-year-old, Mayor Harris had already served the city for 22 years. I recall doing the math and realizing Jimmy Harris first became mayor at around the same age,” Baker shared in an email to BrevardBeagle.com. “You don’t run for office for the first time because you think everything is going great. I was inspired by change. Nevertheless, Mayor Harris sent me a note after that election. I still have it on my fridge at home. It says: ‘Your participation in the local election was ‘Best for Brevard.’ Whenever the most participate the better! Congrats!’”
“What I will remember most about Mayor Harris is his deep, abiding love for Brevard,” Baker concluded. “This love and pride of place emanated from him in everything he did. He inspired all of us to put Brevard first and always do what is ‘Best for Brevard.’”
City of Brevard
During Harris’ tenure, Brevard saw the creation of Bracken Preserve, the first several sections of Brevard’s Estatoe Trail, the Mary C. Jenkins Community and Cultural Center, two skate parks, a dog park, and the railroad depot park that City Council renamed the Jimmy Harris Railroad Depot Park last year in recognition of his efforts to revitalize that area and construct the facility.
Rodney Locks served on Brevard City Council with Harris for 16 years and once ran against him for mayor, even campaigning door-to-door with the incumbent Harris during that contest. Despite their political differences Locks said their friendship always remained special.
“He loved Brevard and this community. He also loved being mayor,” Locks said Saturday. “We all learned on City Council to agree to disagree and never take our differences personally. He was one of the good guys.”
In honor of Harris’ legacy of public service, flags at City Hall were lowered to half-staff Saturday and will remain there through Friday, Oct. 19.
A memorial service for Jimmy Harris will be held Sunday, Oct. 18 at First Baptist Church in with Pastor Richard Jelly officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. with the funeral scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.