James Mowbray Harris

James Mowbray Harris (Jim) passed away at the age of 96 on September 4, 2023. Born on August 19, 1927, in Tulsa, OK, to parents Madeline H. (Mowbray) Harris and James T. Harris, Sr. He grew up in Tulsa during the Depression and World War II eras during which he was an adored only child, Eagle Scout, and student, graduating from Will Rogers H.S. in 1945.

After high school, he enlisted into the Navy and was sent to San Diego for basic training. He returned to Tulsa following that short naval stint to attend and graduate from Tulsa University on the G.I. Bill, and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Jim was a popular, outgoing student, kind and friendly to everyone, and President of the Student Council his senior years in both high school AND college, and was named in Who's Who of America.

His entire life Jim, who humbly called himself "lucky", was generous and loyal to a fault with his family, and his numerous life-long friends, as well being a dedicated dog lover and owner. He had a knack for telling entertaining stories and jokes and was known to have an impish sense of humor on occasion. Upon graduating college, he married high school sweetheart Norma J. Wilbanks at Tulsa's Boston Ave. Methodist Church, followed up by again serving in the Navy stationed in Washington, DC during the Korean War, where his first daughter Debbie was born in Bethesda Naval Hospital.

After his time in the Navy was finished, Jim became employed with Phillips Petroleum for 35 years until his retirement, where he excelled in sales and marketing and was a fine public speaker. His cousin Dorothy had been married to Dale Carnegie and he had attended and always benefited from their speaking course and philosophy of "winning friends and influencing people". During his career Jim was transferred on numerous occasions around the country to different states and towns. He had his second daughter, Cynthia, while living in Baltimore, MD.

In his younger years, Jim was a Mason and Shriner, coming from a line of 32-degree Masons. Jim's remarkable family, such as the Harris's, were early pioneers of the Virginia Colony, later known as America, dating back as far as the 1600's. Other ancestors, such as the Mowbray's, Anderson's, and Robertson's, looking for a better life in Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and elsewhere, were some of the earliest pioneers in those places, and who had led the way for others to follow, in leadership, community improvement, and overcoming odds, wars, and hardships.

In 1974 at age 47, Jim moved to Knoxville TN, and his blood "turned orange" when he became a diehard fan of the Tennessee Volunteers, although he would still root for his OU Sooners IF they were not playing the Vols. He was a donor to Tennessee Athletics, and enjoyed going to Calhoun's for Quarterback Club lunches and various other functions. In addition, during the 90's under the auspices of Coach Pat Summitt, he volunteered for the Lady Vols many years, and was President of the "Boost Her" Club of which he was tremendously proud.

Jim is survived by his daughter Deborah A. Shatila (Debbie) and husband Saib (Sam), daughter Cynthia L. Wells and husband Terry, grandson James S. Shatila (Omar), granddaughter Sandra S. Adamson and husband Eric, and great grandchildren Cooper and Adeline Adamson.

In 1995 his first beloved wife of 44 years Norma Jo passed away, but in 1997 at the age of 70 he was able to find love once again, along with a second additional family, when he married Beverly Duckworth (Bev), a Tulsa native who was in his class at Will Rogers High School. True to his nature, he happily embraced Bev's daughter Cindy Mossey and husband Jim, their children Shannon and Jaime along with her husband Mike, Beverly's son Steve, and all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Jim will be greatly missed by many. The world lost a good one.

Family and friends will gather at Berry Highland West Funeral Home, 9913 Sherrill Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37932, on Sunday, September 10, 2023 with a receiving of friends from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM and a memorial service to follow at 3:00PM with David Shepherd to officiate the service. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Mobile Meals Kitchen, 1747 Reynolds St., Knoxville, TN 37921 or The Pat Summitt Foundation, 520 W. Summit Hill Dr., SW #1101, Knoxville, TN 37902. Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the Harris family at www.BerryHighlandWest.com.