James L. (Doc) Harris left his earthly home for heaven on December 28, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 7, 1924 in Bolivar, Missouri, the 5th child of James Homer Harris and Lena Pearl Wilkerson Harris. He was raised on a farm in Jamesport, Missouri. His mother passed away when he was nine.
He graduated from Jamesport High School in May of 1943. Due to a burn injury sustained from a hunting accident, no branch of the military would accept him when he tried to enlist in World War 2. He worked in a munitions factory until the war ended. He attended Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, Missouri and learned morse code. He then went on to work for the railroad until he was employed by AT&T in Chicago. He was drafted in the army in 1950 and served in communications at Camp Carson in Colorado during the Korean War. In 1951 he met the love of his life, Rita Mae Keeney, at church. They married the following year and he was honorably discharged that fall. They moved to Chicago where he continued working for AT&T.
Doc and Rita lived in Illinois, Colorado, and California during their 66 and a half years of marriage. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Auburn, California. He always loved to sing, especially hymns, and he enjoyed telling how the songs came to be written.
Doc and Rita have 4 precious children and their spouses: Vince (Phyllis) Harris, Gregg (Cynthia) Harris, Shannon (Steve) Cox, Lyndon (Danielle) Harris. They have 15 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
Doc was employed by AT&T for 36 years and was known as Mr. Safety for his work in that field. He retired in 1982.
Doc was a godly man with a servants heart. He loved helping others. He was so deeply treasured and loved.
The viewing will be Tuesday, January 8th at Chapel of the Hills, 1331 Lincoln Way, Auburn from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The celebration of life will be held on February 9th at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 139 East Placer Street, Auburn.
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