Dr. Harris was raised on the family farm near Rutherford, TN. As well, he attended Gibson County Schools beginning at Rutherford Elementary/Junior High School through the eighth grade and finishing at Gibson County High School where he graduated in 1995. 

The University of Tennessee had always been the dream of Dr. Harris, and he was accepted to and graduated from the University of Tennessee summa cum laude with a B.S. degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry, History, and Modern Foreign Language concentrating on Spanish, French and Portuguese. Dr. Harris also studied classical piano while at UT completing training since he was 5 years old. 

Dr. Harris was accepted to the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated as valedictorian of his medical school class summa cum laude. Dr. Harris matched with the prestigious surgical residency at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, serving as chief resident his final year. 

James has baptized into the Rutherford Cumberland Presbyterian Church in September of 1977, and he professed faith in Christ and was received as a full member of the church at the age of 13. In his years in the north, as there were no Cumberland Presbyterian churches, James joined Fourth Presbyterian Church (USA) in Chicago. He then was a member of First Presbyterian Church (USA) of La Crosse, Wisconsin. 

Upon return to Jackson, Dr. Harris joined First Presbyterian Church (USA) of Jackson, TN where he became an Elder and served as clerk of Session. At FPC Jackson, Dr. Harris’ spirituality grew very intensely. Attending a Cursillo known as the Great Banquet, Dr. Harris began to experience a call to ministry unsure of what that might be. As Dr. Harris prayed fervently, he finally felt that God was calling him to small church ministry.

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Dr. Harris currently studies through Memphis Theological Seminary in preparation for his ministry. He is very proud to be part of a loving church community that he has found at First Presbyterian Church, Huntingdon, and looks for ward to many years serving with the saints in this beloved congregation.

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In spare time, Dr. Harris loves sports of all kinds, playing the piano, reading, traveling and hunting or fishing. Dr. Harris loves anything that can get himself outside into God’s creation.