Jerry Glenn Harris

Jerry Glenn Harris, age 85, passed away peacefully June 9, 2016, surrounded by family and loved ones at his home in League City, TX. He was born December 28, 1930, to Iva Mae and Emory Lewis Harris near Shidler, Oklahoma.

During the eleventh grade, his family moved to south Texas. After graduation from Ingleside High School in 1947, he enlisted in the US Navy and trained as a hospital corpsman in San Diego, California. Later stationed at the US Naval Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, he became an operating room technician working with orthopedic surgeons. In 1950, he returned to civilian life and began work for Mobil Oil in the Marketing Department.

Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Nadyne Bennight on August 6, 1949. After leaving the military, they returned to Ingleside and built a home. It was in Ingleside where they began their family, their first daughter born in 1950, and their second daughter six years later. Jerry and Nadyne were active members of Ingleside Methodist Church where he served as a board member and on multiple committees.

In April 1962, Jerry accepted a job with Conoco Oil Company in Houston. For the next 37 years they lived in the Westbury/Meyerland area. He was a leader in the Marilyn Estate Homeowner’s Association and a member of Westbury United Methodist Church, where he served as a Senior High MYF counselor for several years in the late 60’s and early 70’s. In 1993, after 31 years of service in Marketing, Government Regulations, Human Resources, Corporate Safety and Health, and Environmental Affairs, Jerry retired from Conoco. In 1999, Jerry and Nadyne moved to the Woodlands where they joined The Woodlands United Methodist Church. He quickly made many friends, becoming the president of the Senior’s Sunday School Class. In 1994, Jerry and Nadyne built a vacation lake home in Palestine, Texas. There they made many dear friends and Jerry served as president of Lake Mary Association.

His retirement years were filled with the joy of his four grandchildren, Matt, Missy, Glenn and Stephen. He will be remembered for the countless basketball games, soccer games, piano recitals, golf tournaments, football games, band concerts, and graduations he attended. He was further blessed with visits from his three great grandchildren, Addie, Drayden, and Asher. In his failing years, Addie brought a special comfort to him with her many visits.

Preceding him in death were his parents Iva Mae Blankenship and Emory Lewis Harris, and his brother, Elmer Lewis Harris. Jerry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Nadyne Bennight Harris, his daughters Dianne (Mark) Vogt, Delaine Sottilare, grandchildren Matt (Robbie) Vogt, Missy (Justin) Ripoll, Glenn Sottilare, Stephen Sottilare, great-grandchildren Drayden, Addie, Asher, and a great grandson due in August.

The family would like to thank Malinda Garcia of Home Helpers for the supervision of his care during his struggle with Alzheimer’s. They would like to especially thank Colleen Elbers and Maria Rodriguez for their loving care. They brightened his days and brought him dignity.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 3 pm, preceding a Celebration of Life Service at 3 pm Saturday, June 18 with interment following, all held at Forest Park East Funeral Home and Cemetery, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX 77598. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor Jerry’s memory with donations to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.alz.org/donate