Charles Harris Obituary

Services celebrating the life of Charles Robert Harris, 85, formerly of Tyler, are scheduled at Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Ron Byrd officiating. The family will receive visitors at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Entombment will be at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery. Mr. Harris went to be with Our Lord and his beloved wife on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008.

Charlie was born on Sept. 6, 1923, in Hughes Springs. He loved growing up the youngest of seven boys in a large rural East Texas family. He was very bright and taught himself to read by age five. He started school in the second grade at age six. In high school he was an accomplished basketball and tennis player. After graduation he attended The University of Texas at Austin. When World War II began, he left UT and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served during the war as a combat medic in the 9th Infantry Division in France, Germany and Belgium. He was discharged in 1945 having served in five major campaigns; his military honors included the Presidential Unit Citation, the Good Conduct Ribbon, the Combat Medics Badge and the European Theater of Operations Ribbon with Five Battle Stars.

After discharge from the Army, he resumed his studies at UT where he met the love of his life, Mary Naomi Fullerton. Charlie and Mary were married in 1949 after his graduation from Pharmacy School in 1948. Charlie began his pharmacy career in Liberty, Texas. In 1957 he moved to Temple, where he and Mary raised their four children. Charlie owned and operated Harris Drug in Temple. He was active in civic affairs, a member of the Temple Masonic Lodge, was a Scottish Rite Mason and attended the First Methodist Church. In 1973 Charlie began working as a hospital pharmacist for the Veterans Administration in Waco. In 1993, Charlie and Mary moved to East Texas to be closer to their sons, Jim and Jack in Tyler. They attended First Christian Church of Tyler. Charlie did not relish retirement and soon took a position as the hospital pharmacist for Hospice of East Texas, where he could help others who were suffering. Following the loss of his beloved wife of 56 years, he relocated to Wichita, Kan., and lived happily with his youngest son John's family, and near his daughter Marilyn.

Charlie loved life, he loved people and people loved him back. Cheery until the very end, he had a disarming smile and manner that quickly made strangers friends. He truly lived the Christian life. He taught us all by example. Charlie was so very proud of all of his grandchildren. He felt he had had a very blessed life and wasn't shy about telling people. In the end, he faced his final days with optimism and courage and was ready to meet his Maker and rejoin the love of his life. He was one of a kind. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by sons, Dr. James Harris and wife Mary of Tyler, Dr. Jack Harris and wife Jean of Tyler, John Harris and wife Lori of Wichita, Kan.; daughter, Marilyn Martin and husband Dr. Charles Martin of Wichita, Kan. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Cliff, Brad, Christine, Justin, Michelle, Peyton and Carson Harris of Tyler, Kate Harris and Sara Harris VerShaw of Tyler, as well as Tyler and Caleb Harris of Wichita, Kan., and Brandon and Julie Martin of Wichita, Kan. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Thomas and Lillian Irene Harris, and brothers, Andrew, Dick, Russell, James, Louis and Jodie.

Pallbearers are Lt. Cliff Harris, Brad Harris, Justin Harris, Brandon Martin, Tyler Harris and Peyton Harris. Honorary pallbearers are James Fullerton, Marvin Naron, Lee Stewart, Jodie Harris Jr., Don Harris and Ronnie Rutledge.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701, or a charity of choice.