Fred F. Harris

Fred was born on Nov. 19, 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama, the only child of Louise French and Fred L. Harris. Although he grew up in Birmingham, during World War ll, when his father entered the service, the family followed him to Miami and then to Ogden, Utah where Fred went to school. He told of being embarrassed because he wore “knickers” while the other boys wore jeans and because he was asked to speak in class when they had never heard anyone with a Southern accent like he had. It earned him the name “Alabam”.

When the family returned to Birmingham, Fred attended Ramsay High School where he played first base on the baseball team and was team captain as they won the state championship and then the 1948 Southeastern Championship in Lakeland, Fl.

He attended Marion Military Institute, where he developed a deep sense of patriotism, which never diminished. In his junior year he transferred to Auburn and enrolled in ROTC. When his parents bought a farm in Siluria, AL., he became interested in farming and decided to major in Agriculture. When he graduated in 1952, he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. After his 2 year commitment, he began a poultry business (Blue Creek Farms) in nearby Leeds, Al. He continued there until he returned to the Air Force to embark on the remainder of his career.

On St. Patrick’s Day, 1952, he married Pat Riley, the love of his life, and they shared their lives for almost 70 years. Their three children, Fred, Jim and Elizabeth (Burgess) were the light of their lives and provided them with joy (and sometimes stress) as they were moved around the world. Fred was an exceptional father, always supporting his children’s activities and interests.

Fred retired from the Air Force as a Colonel after a 37 year career, which led him, and often his family, around the world to Wisconsin; Washington, D.C.; Georgia; multiple assignments to Colorado (the family favorite); and overseas to Germany, Saudi Arabia and to Greenland twice.

Fred and Pat retired first to the mountains of Colorado, where they became an active part of the community. In 1988 he was awarded the Pikes Peak Citizen of the Year award for the work in establishing a medical clinic in Fairplay, Colorado, a small mountain community.

In 1997 they moved to their new home on Cape San Blas, FL, where for years they enjoyed their home and boat with friends and the increasing family of beloved grandchildren and their “great grands”. Fred was an ardent Auburn fan, and War Eagle was the favorite slogan, license plate and lawn sign.

He is survived by his wife, Pat Riley Harris, sons Fred F. Harris, Jr (Lucy Harrison) of Quincy; Jim Harris of Tallahassee; daughter Elizabeth Burgess (Ben) of Franklin, Va.; grandchildren Riley Harris (Annie) Philadelphia, PA; Katie Harris (Aaron Suko) of Tallahassee; Kelly Lukens (Brad) of Largo, FL; Whitney Dunn (David) or Riner, VA; and great grandchildren Camden, Fletcher and Bodhi Lukens; Joslyn and Jacob Dunn; and Oliver and Caroline Harris, who will soon welcome a new sibling.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.