Kenneth L. Harris

Kenneth was born on July 5, 1936, in Rockdale, Texas to Harry Gordon Harris, and wife Mildred (Luckey) Harris. He was raised in Rockdale where he lived until he graduated from Rockdale High School in 1954. He then attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas where he graduated in 1958 with a degree in Music Education and was subsequently hired as the Band Director for Copperas Cove I.S.D. This began a 30 plus year career as the band director at various Texas schools.

Kenneth wanted to own a piece of land out in the country, so he bought a farm outside of Crawford, Texas in 1973 and moved his family there. He was hired as the Band Director at Crawford I.S.D. for the first half of the school day, and the Band Director at Valley Mills I.S.D. for the second half of the school day. During that time, in addition to his teaching duties, he was responsible for getting two marching bands ready for the Friday night football games. The following year, he was hired full-time at Crawford I.S.D.

Not only was Kenneth a Band Director, but over the course of his career, he wrote and published over 90 compositions for marching bands, jazz bands, and concert bands. Local favorites for his Crawford High School marching band were "Bluff Creek Woman," "A Rock," and "Bread Man." Kenneth was also an accomplished professional musician playing clarinet, saxophone, piano and bass in dance bands throughout Central Texas. He continued to play professionally for many years after retiring as Band Director of Crawford I.S.D. in 1989.

Kenneth passed away on June 24, 2025, in Waco, Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Harris on January 13, 1965; his mother, Mildred Harris Baker on May 27 , 2010; his stepfather, Babe Baker on July 15, 2002; his sister, Heather Harris on July 27, 1959; his stepbrother, Don Baker on October 15, 2013; his stepsister, Bobbie Ann Moore on August 22, 2005; his stepbrother, Nathan Baker on August 07, 2023; his aunt, Margie T hompson in 1992; his cousin, Gayla Stiles on August 24, 2002; his sister, Leanna Applegate on April 16, 2016, and his beloved son, Kenneth Luckey Harris, Jr. on April 17, 2013.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 47 years, Annita Fay Harris of Crawford, Texas; his brother, Harry Gordon Harris of Laramie, Wyoming; daughters Anne Harris of Quinlan, Texas and Carmen Burkhart of Holland, Texas; stepsons, Johnny and Kelly Wigley of Crawford, Texas; and Ronnie Wigley of Tyler, Texas; stepsister, Elaine Baker of Bryan, Texas; and numerous grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of AccentCare Hospice & Palliative Care Greater Waco and The Brazos of Waco for their exceptional end-of-life care for our Father.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 2nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Crawford Methodist Church, followed by the service at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Kent Berry officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Crawford High School Band at 200 Pirate Drive, Crawford, Texas 76638.