Robert Hansel Harris

Robert Hansel Harris, 91, of Paragould, died Friday, January 29, 2010, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center. Mr. Harris was born October 14, 1918 in Paragould to the late Robert Virgil and Clara Jeffrey Hanks Harris. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Maxine Harris, brothers, Jeff Harris and Theron Harris. He was a lifelong resident, born, raised and lived, in Paragould. His earliest job was as a child, helping his father deliver ice and milk by horse and wagon. He retired from Southwestern Bell after 37 years and was a lifetime member of AT & T pioneers. Mr. Harris served his country during WWII from 1942-1945, serving in France, Germany and Newfoundland in the Army Signal Corp. He was a Paragould Alderman for several terms, Little League umpire for 17 years, member of the Lions Club, was a Mason, lifetime member of the Fox Hills Golf Club, supporter of ASU Athletics, member of the Red Wolf Club, and volunteered at AMMC in the ICU until September 2009. Mr. Harris served as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church for many years, was very active in the Arkansas Presbytery serving as Moderator of Cluster III and chaired the Evangelism Committee, completed courses to become a Lay-Minister for Arkansas Presbytery and filled pulpits of surrounding churches on several occasions. He was a founding member and first President of the Greene County Museum and a member and volunteer of the Greene County Historical and Genealogical Society. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca Lynn and James Brake, of Paragould; son and daughter-in-law: Robert Glen and Roxanne Harris of Houston, TX, three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. The Harris family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Thursday. His life will be celebrated at Heath Colonial Chapel, 10:00 AM, Friday, with Rev. Don Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at Greene County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are Ammar Ammar, Shannon Beasley, Bill Fisher, Frank Flaga, Scott Graham, Bob Jackson, Harold Strickland, and Dale Wikowisky. Memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church. To register online, go to www.heathfuneralhome.com.