Charles Wayne Harris

Charles Wayne Harris, 73, of Fort Smith passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 after a long and courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He was born February 11, 1937 in Cushing, Oklahoma. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1959 and his juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1962, and was an avid lifetime supporter of OU sports (Boomer Sooner!). After college, he served as a Judge Advocate General in the United States Army before accepting a position with the Fort Smith law firm then known as Warner, Warner, Ragon and Smith. He retired from the practice of law in 2009 after serving 43 years as a partner in the same law firm, now named Warner, Smith & Harris, PLC. During his career, he tried over 1000 cases, including approximately 150 jury trials. He was a zealous advocate of the Fort Smith medical community and enjoyed the company of his many friends and colleagues in the medical and legal professions. He was a member of the American, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Sebastian County Bar Associations, the Federation of Insurance Counsel, the American Board of Trial Advocates and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He was also an active member of the First Christian Church of Fort Smith, where he served as a Deacon, Elder and Trustee on several occasions. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Clifford Harris, and mother, Ruth Alice Harris. He is survived by his loving wife, Mae Harris, of Fort Smith; his proud son Mark Harris and his partner, Daryl Dirkx, of Dallas, Texas; his proud son Greg Harris and his wife, Lindsey Thomas Harris, and grandson, Owen Thomas Harris, of Phoenix, Arizona; and cousins Rita Jo Carver, of Corsicana, Texas; Margaret Ann Webb of Austin, Texas; and Mary Jo Bever and Bill Wilson of Davis, Oklahoma.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 12, 2010 at the First Christian Church in Fort Smith with burial at Roselawn Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 11, 2010 at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.

Pallbearers will be Ron Brooks, Rick Brooks, Ted Gann, Monte Miller, Leamon Farrior and David Major. Honorary pallbearers will be Doug Smith, Jr., Alan Wooten, Pat Moore, Joe Dorzab, John Pope, John Deaton, Tom Williams and Ken Wallace.

Memorials may be sent to: American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718, or First Christian Church, 3501 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR, 72903, or to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com