John Jeremy Seaborn Harris dies at 27

JOHN JEREMY Seaborn Harris couldn't make up his mind whether he wanted to be an actor or a professional football player.

Not many young men have that kind of choice, but Jeremy was talented in both spheres of entertainment, though rising to professional level remained to be seen.

Unfortunately, Jeremy, as he was called by family and friends, will not be able to fulfill any of his dreams. He died Thursday in his sleep of a stroke. He was 27 and lived in Northwest Philadelphia.

Jeremy had been an inspector for the city's Department of Licenses & Inspection since last March.

He performed in local theater and was scheduled to report the day after he died as an extra in the Jamie Foxx movie ("Law Abiding Citizen") being filmed here.

And he was a standout football player in a rough touch-football league in the city.

"He was strong-willed and goal-oriented," his family said. "He was a people person who loved life and loved to laugh."

Jeremy was also very religious, beginning each day with scripture readings and prayer. He believed that through his faith, he could do anything he decided to do, his family said.

He was born in Philadelphia to Carole Harris and the late John Seaborn. He graduated from Martin Luther King Jr. High School in 1999, and received an associate's degree in communications with a focus in theater from Community College of Philadelphia. He also took courses at Temple University.

He attended acting classes at Philadelphia Freedom Theater, and participated in acting and theater workshops and seminars whenever he found one.

Jeremy worked at Reed Technology Information Systems for seven years. He started as a data-entry operator and, before his first anniversary there, was promoted to copy-inspection editor.

He had been a member of the Mount Airy Church of God in Christ since age 6. He performed in the play "Spin Cycle" presented at the church.

He was a serious movie buff and critic. "He could tell you anything you wanted to know about a movie," his family said. "His favorite genre was comedy. He loved to laugh."

He also enjoyed watching stand-up comedians.

As for football, Jeremy played linebacker in the rough- touch league. His team, the "Spartans," made it to the championship last year. Before that, he played wide receiver and quarterback for the "Silverbacks" in the same league.

While working at Reed, he would get a group of fellow workers together for a game of football, and he and his brother would get on the phone and call friends, cousins and anybody else they could think of to meet for a game.

"Football was his passion," his family said. "If he was not watching it, he was talking it. If he was not talking it, he was playing it."

Jeremy was very family-focused. He loved being with his nephew and nieces and would take them to the movies, restaurants, and to playgrounds, where he would join in games of hide-and-seek.

He would also play board games with them at home, and help them with their arithmetic.

"Jeremy loved his entire family," his family said. "He would check on his cousins to make sure they were doing the right thing.

"He would reward them if he knew they made the honor roll, and every now and then he would get a phone call from one of his cousins asking if Jeremy would take them to or pick them up from friends' houses."

Of course, he never refused.

"He was dearly loved, cherished, and celebrated in his life and will be deeply missed," his family said.

He is survived by his mother and brother, and grandparents, Alvin and Carole Milner.

Services:

11 a.m. tomorrow at the Mount Airy Church of God in Christ, 6401 Ogontz Ave. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Chelten Hills Cemetery. *