Russell Josiah "Joe" Harris was born February 17, 1935 in Ryan, OK to Russell and Una (Smith) Harris. He passed from this life Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the Jefferson County Hospital in Waurika, OK at the age of seventy-four. He and Carolina Lou Kennedy were married June 17, 1955 in Waurika, OK. Joe spent his adult life working in the Natural Gas industry and retired as a measurement supervisor for Enron Corporation. He grew up in the Irving Baptist Church where he begand his many years of singing and performing in the church and with the Red River Ramblers. Wherever his job took him and his family he remained active in his local church. He was always part of the church choir, and sang with the Men's Trio and sponsored the Living Faith Singers traveling youth choir at the First Baptist Church in Laverne, Oklahoma. He also served as Training Union director and Sunday School Teacher for the First Baptist Church in Laverne. Joe was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He attended the United Methodist church in Waurika, Oklahoma in his later years.
Joe is survived by his wife Carol of the home, mother Una Harris of Ryan, OK, two daughters; Melody Stewart and Russell of Beaver, OK and Leisha Harris Justus and Michael of Woodward, OK, two brothers; Glen and Pat Harris of Wills Point, Tx and Jon Harris and Debbie Golata of Berkley, CA., granddaughter Shawna Carole Hobbs and Richard of Woodward, OK, ; Christopher Russell Harris of Woodward, OK and Ellen Aleise Harris and her son (great Grandchild) Kael Elijah Harris of Woodward, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his father Russell Ernest Josiah Harris and nephew Russell Alan Harris.
A Memorial Service will be Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 2:00PM at the Irving Baptist Church in Irving with Dr. Trevor Smith and Reed Montgomery officiating under
the direction of Dudley Funeral Home in Waurika. Memorials may be made to the Jefferson County Hospital, Cancer Center in Ardmore, OK, St. Anthony's Hospital or Mercy Memorial Hospital in Ardmore, OK.
