James Ray Harris, Jr.

Services for James Ray Harris Jr., 56, of Canton, are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2019, at Crossroads Church in Canton with Bro. Mark Robinson officiating under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home.

James passed away at his home Sunday, April 21, 2019.

He was born August 30, 1962, in McKinney, TX to James Ray Harris Sr. and Alice Harris.

James grew up in McKinney where he attended school. He married Reta Joyce Martin June 3, 1980, before moving to Canton in 1994. He was a member of Crossroads Church.

James enjoyed fishing, gardening, watching his grandchildren show livestock, play sports, and cheer along with going to garage sales. Most of all, he enjoyed being Pawpaw. James and Reta raised six wonderful children together. He was a fixture at the Friday Night Lights in Canton for over a decade watching his boys play and daughter cheer and march. He later returned on Saturdays to watch his grandsons play and granddaughter cheer. James and Reta hauled their kids all over Texas showing livestock and made life long friends. He was so excited when the grandkids continued this family tradition.

He was "the tree man." He could locate any kind of trees his customers wanted whether the tree field was in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana or even Mississippi. He was like a hound dog when it came to finding trees, always hot on the trail. He could make a T-post sprout leaves and thrive. We are not sure if he ever paid full price for anything as he always wanted a deal and usually got it. He could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman wearing white gloves on a sunny and hot August Texas day.

James was a compassionate man and always wanted to help anyone but especially those down on their luck even if he was, too. He would give the shirt off his back and the last dollar in his pocket to help someone. He was a jokester and loved to make people laugh. He was funny without trying. His grandkids would like to let everyone know that their Pawpaw holds the record for the biggest bass caught in his pond where he always took them to fish.

His hands were calloused and sometimes hard but his heart was always soft. If we cried, he cried. He let us know it was ok to be sad but don't be sad forever. He loved us big and we loved him big.

He is survived by his loving Wife, Reta Harris; Daughter, Alecia and Robert Conway; Son, James "Bubba" and Bliss Harris III; Daughter, Shari and Marshall Baugus; Son, Jason and Danica Harris; Son, John and Jessica Harris; Son, Jacob and Tori Harris; Grandchildren: Casey, Clay and Ridge Conway; Callie, Rylee and Bryce Harris; Kilie and Mattick Harris; Jaxon and Jep Harris; Parents, James and Alice Harris; and Sisters: Laura and Gary Mitchell, Tammy and Jeff Jackson, Christie Harris, and Jennifer and Brad McClellan. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and a whole community of friends.

James is preceded in death by his Grandparents: John and Nell Robertson and Albert and Dorothy Harris. Cousin: Eric Case.

Interment will be at Colfax Cemetery.

Family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Eubank Funeral Home in Canton.