BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Saturday, family members will gather for the double funeral of brothers who died within hours of each other. Both men died last Sunday after they were removed from life support.

Mrs. Belinda Brown said her brothers, Donnie “Duck” Harris, 58, and Ronnie “Special Harris, 50, suffered heart attacks two days apart. Donnie Harris was visiting a friend Wednesday, October 12th, when he became ill. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital.

Two days later, Ronnie Harris was visiting a friend when he, too, became ill Friday, October 14th, and was transported to Tampa General Hospital.

Both men were admitted to the hospital unresponsive on life support and placed in the same room, three beds apart.

Mrs. Brown said Donnie was removed from life support at 12:15 a.m., Sunday. After he began breathing on his own, he was relocated to another room. Donnie died 12 hours later at 12:28 p.m., Sunday, exactly two hours after Ronnie was disconnected at 10:28 a.m., Sunday. Ronnie died almost immediately.

The sons of the late Albert and Mercedes Harris, the brothers were born and raised in Tampa. Donnie was the 4th of 6 children and Ronnie was the youngest.

They attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. Donnie was well known as an athlete at Tampa Technical High School. He was born with a heart condition. He also had heart surgery as a child. He is survived by three daughters and 4 grandchildren.

Ronnie attended Brandon High School, where he ran track. He also worked on several jobs. He got into trouble as a youngster and planned to work with his friend, Gilbert Brinson, to help kids avoid making the same mistakes he made, Mrs. Brown said.

Ronnie suffered a mild heart attack about two months ago and underwent surgery to have a shunt implanted. He is the father of four daughters and the grandfather of three.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 29th, 1 p.m., at St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. Abbey Affordable Cremation & Funeral Services, of Largo, is in charge of handling arrangements.