Duevorn Harris

Duevorn Donovan Harris was born December 27, 1979, in St. Ann’s, Jamaica, to Donovan “Keith” Anthony Harris and Cordel Rose Allen Harris. In 1982, when Duevorn was 3, he and his mom joined his dad in Mt. Vernon, New York. Duevorn’s family lived in several apartments in the area, moving throughout the Bronx borough as his family grew and worked to improve their lives as new citizens of the United States. Duevorn’s parents had three more children, giving Duevorn two younger brothers, Kwame and Orien, and a little sister, Cordelia.
Duevorn was always an intelligent being. By the age of 3, and still in Jamaica, he had taught himself to read. Duevorn would anxiously await his grandfather’s return from his store and sit in his grandfather’s lap to read to him. When the family moved to the states and Duevorn started school, by the first grade they realized Duevorn was gifted and skipped him a grade. He would attend a more advanced program about three times a week. During the summers in NYC there was a summer reading league at the New
York public library and Duevorn always won the top prize. His parents worked hard and eventually moved to Newark, Delaware, in 1992, before Duevorn’s 8 th grade year.
Duevorn attended several Catholic schools while in New York, and attended Shue Middle School in Newark, Delaware, when his family moved to the state. During Duevorn’s freshman year at Newark High School, he tried out for the football team. After his first day he realized there was potential to be successful in the sport if he put in the work. And Duevorn put in the work. Every day after school Duevorn could be found in the weight room, working harder to become bigger, faster, and stronger. He excelled in football, becoming the captain of the team his senior year. Duevorn gained national attention with his athletic prowess and incredible feats of strength, earning several articles in
newspapers and scouting reports for colleges. By the age of 17, Duevorn could squat over 750 pounds and bench press 500 pounds. His legacy in the weight room, both in high school and college, will be remembered forever.
During Duevorn’s senior year of high school he was chosen for the Boys State program, and after, the Boys Nation program. He went to Washington, DC, where he met President Clinton and the Senator for the state of Delaware, Joe Biden. His accolades both on and off the field were impressive to any college scout. Duevorn was also on the track and field team, competing in the hammer throw and shot put.
Eventually, Duevorn decided to attend Colgate University, in Hamilton, New York, to play collegiate football and track and field. Duevorn earned respect and love from his brothers on his football team, inspiring others in the weight room and on the field to work and play harder. The Colgate Red Raiders football team and Duevorn earned Patriot League Champions in 1999. Duevorn also earned All-League Second Team in 2000 as a defensive lineman. After earning a Bachelor of Art degree in Philosophy and Religion, Duevorn went back to Newark, Delaware, where he pursued a career in finance. In January of 2006, Duevorn was reintroduced to a girlfriend from high school, Ann Melby. Duevorn and Ann married on July 8, 2006, in Wilmington, Delaware in the garden at Bellevue Hall. Soon after, they moved to Miami, Florida, where Duevorn continued his career in finance. In Miami, Ann became pregnant, and they moved back to the northeast to Exton, Pennsylvania, to be closer to family. In 2007, Duevorn and Ann’s oldest son was born, Adonai. In 2008, their second son Ezekiel was born. Duevorn and his family then moved to West Virginia, where he studied for his computer certification in CISCO networking. Soon after, he was offered a job at Cricket  Mobile in Elkridge, Maryland. While in Elkridge in 2012, Duevorn and Ann had a daughter and named
her Khalisi. Duevorn’s desire to continue his education drove him to study for his LSAT and gain entry into Widener Law School, in Wilmington, Delaware. Duevorn and his family moved back to Delaware to attend law school. During the end of his first year of law school Duevorn realized he was more passionate about computers and self-studied computer science in order to earn a spot in a competitive coding program. Upon completion of the program, Duevorn took a job at Delaware State University, in Dover, Delaware. When an opportunity arose for his wife to go back to school, Duevorn made it happen for his family. His support and desire to help his wife learn and grow were extremely important to him.
He sacrificed job opportunities so that his wife could make one of her dreams a reality. His support, loyalty, and devotion were never questioned. They transitioned to Brandon, Florida, while his wife completed her program in cardiovascular sonography at Nova Southeastern University. Once clinical rotations started for his wife, Duevorn and Ann decided to move to North Carolina to complete that training. Duevorn took advantage of the time at home and became an options trader. His determination and desire to support his family helped him excel and become a successful trader, while also  maintaining duties at home while Ann was in school. Duevorn was always studying or reading new
material to help him grow professionally and personally. His desire to continuously learn and grow helped him develop talents in drawing, chess, and writing. Duevorn could often be found at his desk, reading new chess strategies, watching drawing tutorials, or drafting ideas for new stories.
Duevorn had a smile that could draw you in, a laugh that would make you stay, and a perspective on life that made you want to come back for more. His manner of explaining his thoughts and ideas were profound and wise beyond his years. Duevorn had a desire to grow mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. His office shelves are littered with books ranging from art design to comics, to computer science, to physics, to religion, to strength training and conditioning manuals. His garage was a small gym, and Duevorn was often seen outside, in a sweaty shirt, trying new exercises or new equipment most people have never heard of or seen. He had a grip like a vice and won several grip strength competitions and accolades throughout the last decade. Duevorn would say, if you aren’t trying you aren’t growing, and I don’t like stagnate people. His strength was sometimes questioned by others because it was almost unfathomable to see the feats of strength he could accomplish. Duevorn respected the body and was always searching for vitamins or protein shakes or a workout supplement that would enhance his hard work. He believed he could accomplish anything if he had the right
resources and was willing to put in the work to achieve his goal. One of these said goals was to snatch a 55-pound kettlebell 900 times in a row. He made a playlist, called “900 reps” and put in time day after day to succeed. Of course, he did it. Several times. Duevorn knew mind over matter, and when it came to improving his body, Duevorn was extraordinary in his efforts and has left lasting impressions and inspired others to reach for more.
Duevorn was a wonderful husband and father. Duevorn and Ann shared a love at age 16 that lasted a decade and was rekindled into the ultimate commitment to one another. He loved his wife and children and sacrificed throughout their amazing, yet too short, fifteen years, four months, and twenty-one days together as husband and wife. Challenges and trials abounded, and Duevorn had his own personal demons that could make life harder than it need be. However, Duevorn and Ann loved one another fiercely, loyally, unconditionally, and were devoted to each other and their three precious children.
Duevorn and Ann have a great love story, and the love they shared for one another will continue into the eternities. Duevorn will be fiercely missed and fiercely loved, always. We love you Duevorn. Always.