Clayton Terrell Harris

Clayton Terrell Harris was born October 26, 1949 in Austin, Texas to the late Robert Harris and Ruby D. Earls Harris. Clayton was baptized at David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Austin, before later joining Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.

Often sharing stories about integration, Clayton grew up where Connally High School is now, between Parmer and Howard Lanes. In those days, before 1965, black students in Pflugerville attended Hopewell, a black elementary school in Round Rock. However, after schools were integrated, Clayton was bussed to Pflugerville High School where he participated in all sports, excelling in basketball. He was one of only two blacks in a class of fifty that graduated in 1969.

Clayton found his calling in service early and enlisted in the United States Army. After basic training, he was one of a group of 25 men selected for a mission in Asmara, Ethiopia. They stayed at the Intelligence Base, where they stole secrets from the Russians. As an ASA Intelligence Officer, he also worked at the Embassy in Ethiopia.

During his military career, Clayton served with the Military Police while stationed overseas in Ethiopia, Germany, and Italy. He achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and was named the Director of Training for Non-Commissioned Officers for his assigned unit. In November 1971, continuing his service in the armed forces, Clayton joined the Army Reserves, serving 24 years. During that time, he also attended and received an Associates Degree from Austin Community College in May 1977.

Getting his first taste of law enforcement in the military at Fort Gordon, Georgia led him to join the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) in 1977. His first duty assignment was to the Driver’s License Division in Houston. He later transferred to the Driver’s License Division in Austin, where he also served as a recruiter and a member of the Executive Security Team Detail, which provides security protection for high ranking dignitaries and government officials.

In 1995, Clayton was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to the Midland Headquarters, then Dallas, before returning to Austin where he became the Supervising Sergeant at the South Austin Driver License Office and was selected to be an instructor at the TXDPS Training Academy.

Clayton also received accolades for his law enforcement service, including the 2015 Austin NAACP Captain Louie White Award, of which he was especially proud.

After retirement from TXDPS in September 2000, Clayton returned to police work in the Austin Community College (ACC) Police Department in November 2000 as a Patrol Officer. In 2003, he achieved the rank of Sergeant. During his tenure with the college, he served as a Mental Health Officer, Field Training Officer, and certified TCOLE Law Enforcement Instructor. Clayton was promoted by ACC to Lieutenant in 2018 and retired again on November 30, 2019.

A member of the Austin Eastside Tennis Club, Clayton’s passion was playing tennis, and he won numerous awards. He and his family traveled to tournaments across the nation. He had a zest for life, and loved spending time with family and friends.

Married in 1979, Clayton leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Patrice; daughters from a previous marriage: Annie Harris and Tanya Walker; sons: Brandon (Brandi) and Brock; grandchildren: Kamitra Scott, Tashana Harris, Tyree Walker, Kaleb Walker, Bradli Harris and Briel Harris; siblings Vernon Harris (Carol), Freddie Harris (Alice), Loretta Johnson (James), Gwen Jerrells (Barty), and Charles Harris. He is also survived by a host of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation for Clayton will be held Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78752. A funeral service will occur Friday, September 10, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, 8500 Cameron Rd., Austin, Texas 78754. A graveside service will occur Friday, September 10, 2021 at 12:30 PM at Cook-Walden/ Capital Parks Cemetery, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Harris family.