Bob Harris passed from his Earthly life to his Heavenly home on Tuesday, November 2 at 95 years young. He was born April 12, 1926 to Charley and Nora (Weese) Harris in Alma, Arkansas. There was never a dull moment growing up in the Harris household because he shared his life with six brothers and 2 sisters. His favorite past time was fishing, which he avidly continued until his last few years.
Bob left school at the age of 16 to enlist in the U.S. Navy, where he served along with three of his brothers during World War II. After his service ended, he returned home to Alma, where he graduated from Alma High School, where he earned the honor as All-State center at Alma his senior year.
While working at Armour Meat Packaging in Fort Smith, he met and fell in love with the love of his life, Rae Frances Hightower. They were married on March 12, 1953 and then raised three children, Connie, Terry, and Jeffery. In 2000, Frances passed away after 47 years of marriage. Terry, his daughter, tragically passed away in 2012.
Bob retired from Armour after thirty years and then began working for the Fort Smith Public Schools in the maintenance department. At his retirement from the school system, before he even left the building, he decided to sign on to work part time. That eventually turned back into full time and he worked another ten years. He retired once again in 2002.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Frances, daughter Terry Harris Spence and great granddaughter Gracelyn Kate Smith. Also preceding him in death were his brothers and sisters, Cathey, Bill, Tom, Buell, Suell, Ted, Marilyn and Joan. He is survived by his daughter, Connie (Randy) Alexander, Jeffery (Sara) Harris; six grandchildren, Lori, Rachel, Rebecca, Jonathon, James, and Jake; 10 great grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Trent, Samantha, Jaelyn, Tyler, Elizabeth, Jack, Emily, Daisy, and Miley; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he dearly loved.
Bob never met a stranger. People always told us that he left them with a big smile and laughter. A terrible teller of jokes, he continually messed up the punch line, which made it even funnier than he had intended.
We are positive that were was a large foot race on the day he entered Heaven with family members racing to hug and welcome him.
So, when you remember him in the days to come, he’d tell you “Go fishing, smile, jump up and click your heels!” We’re sure that’s what he’s doing now!
Visitation will be on Monday, November 8 from 5-7pm at Edwards Funeral Home. Services will be held at First Christian Church on Tuesday, November 9 at 10:30am and officiated by Reverends Nick Koontz and Dennis Spence. Burial will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery following the service.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Smith, Tim, Trent, and Tyler Conn, James Harris, Daryl Hightower, Casey Craig, and Jason Pergeson. Honorary pallbearers are Hoyle, Steve, Rick, Bill Bryan, Roger Hightower, Jacob Harris and Jonathon Spence. To place an online tribute, go to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com. Charitable donations can be made in his name to the Janet Huckabee Nature Center Youth Fishing Program, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, Ar 72916 or to First Christian Church, 3501 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith Ar 72903.
