Caspa Leonidas Harris, Jr.

On Saturday September 17, 2022, Caspa Harris of Waterford, Virginia, passed peacefully at home with his children by his side to be with the Lord.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy S. Harris. Those who will cherish his memory include his son, Caspa L. Harris, III; a daughter, Grace Ross; a sister, Diane Morton and husband, Harold; a sister-in-law, Eva Harris; a granddaughter, Jordon McIlvain and husband, Brian; a granddaughter, Courtney Christie and husband, Beau; great grandchildren: Wyatt and Hadley Christie, Nancy and Richard Sampson, Joan Sampson, along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Caspa was born May 20, 1928, in Washington DC to parents Caspa and Lucy Harris. They resided in DC for years before moving to Warrenton Virginia, where he learned to truly love life on the farm in the country. After graduating high school, he joined the Army and served the country for 6 years. Upon retiring from the military, he attended American University and graduated with a Business degree. A few years later met his wife, Peggy; they shared 61 wonderful and loving years together, creating a beautiful and happy family with their children Caspa and Grace. While living in a small farmhouse in Chantilly, Caspa worked during the day to support his family and attended American University once again at night. He received his Jurist Doctrine degree, and then went on to become a very successful and well-respected lawyer and CPA.   

He began his tenure at Howard University in 1962 as an internal auditor in the Office of Treasury. He was subsequently appointed comptroller, a position that he held for many years until becoming Vice President for Business and Fiscal Affairs and Treasury followed by his retirement. High profile achievements during his tenure there include opening a new building for Howard University Hospital and changing the University’s policy on business relations with companies associated with South Africa during the Apartheid.

Caspa was also the President of the Columbian Harmony Society, a mutual aid organization who contribute to the upkeep of African American cemeteries in the Washington DC and surrounding areas.

After retiring from the Howard University, he was appointed Executive Vice President of the National Association of Colleges and University Business Officers (NACUBO), a position he held until fully retiring and building his dream home in Waterford, Virginia. Caspa and his wife enjoyed their years in this home with their 2 beloved dogs, living close by to their children and grandchildren.  

Caspa will always hold a special place in our hearts, as he was a truly incredible person. He was loving, generous, intelligent, driven, and hardworking. He was also an incredibly fun person to be around, always making others smile with his wit and humor. We are all better people for having known him, and his presence in our lives helped form who we are today. He taught his family and friends to be resilient, strong but loving, compassionate, and most importantly, humble and kind. He truly led by example; he was, and still is, someone to look up to, someone to follow, and someone to admire. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. We hold him close in our hearts and know he will guide each one of us through life until we meet again.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 11:00 am, at Tapscott Family Cemetery, 2104 Ecoganic Farm Lane, Warrenton, Virginia, 20187.  Rev. Brian Morton will deliver the eulogy.

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