He was born to William Alvin and Myrtis Young Harris in Cascilla, Mississippi on November 30, 1928. He moved to Memphis at the age of 11 and remained a Memphis resident until his death. Mr. Harris graduated from Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He was first employed at the age of 11 as a grocery boy, then as a rural Mail Carrier, and he also worked for the Memphis Transit Authority prior to being hired in 1950 by the E I Dupont Company. Mr. Harris was instrumental in the construction of the Dupont plant and helped to survey the land to build the fence around the Plant. He worked many jobs over the 35 years at Dupont including Supervisor in the Operation of Sodium Cyanide. While at Dupont he won many safety awards and served as fire chief for a time. He retired in 1985 but continued to work on a contracted basis for a time.
Mr. Harris was an avid golfer and played until a year before his death. He was a good husband and provider, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and an exemplary employee. He attended and was a member of Georgian Hills Baptist Church and later Ellendale Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Myrtis Harris and two brothers, William A Harris Jr. and Harmon Edward Harris, all of Memphis, Tennessee.
He leaves behind his wife of 75 years, Jessie A. Harris. He also leaves two sons: Donald S. Harris (Brenda) of Memphis, and Joseph K. Harris (Angie) of Decatur, Al , four grandchildren: Emily Harris Stolnicki (Andrew) , Jeremy D. Harris (Kimberly) , Jess M. Harris (Megan) and Grace Harris Lancaster (Eli) and 10 great grandchildren.
The family will have a private graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St Jude Children’s Hospital or the charity of your choice.
