Apple Federal Credit Union announced the passing of longtime Chairman Virgil B. Harris Jr., following an extensive battle with cancer. Harris, age 81, passed peacefully at home with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife, Diane Stewart Harris, and their two children, Michael and Rachael, and three grandchildren.

Harris dedicated over 55 years of his life to the Fairfax, Va.-based Apple FCU. During his tenure, the credit union grew from $2,601 in assets to $1.6 billion and over 142,000 members. Harris worked to create a definitive credit union brand and affirm it as the premier financial institution serving the educational community.

Having spent the better part of three decades serving the education community, Harris was a passionate advocate for education and charitable giving. While serving on the Apple board, Harris helped further support Apple's community and education initiatives with the creation of the Apple FCU Education Foundation in 2006, where he served as chairman. This conduit for Apple's charitable giving provides scholarships and grants for area youth, educators and organizations supporting the continuation of scholastic aptitude in Northern Virginia.