SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 489
In Memory
of
Kenton Harris
WHEREAS, Family and friends will forever treasure their
memories of Kenton Dale Harris of Friendswood, who died on March
9, 2021, at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, Kenton Harris was born on July 4, 1932, in
Kingman, Kansas, to Delbert and Florence Harris, and he grew up
with four siblings, Leland, Marjorie, Maxine, and Richard; an
impressive athlete, he played football and was named an All-State
running back at Cheney High School; he went on to play varsity
football at Friends University, where he graduated with a
bachelor's degree in physical education in 1953; while
subsequently coaching at William Penn University, he earned a
master's degree from Drake University; and
WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Harris
served in the U.S. Army with the 868th field artillery from 1956
to 1958, when he began his civilian career as an educator and
coach in Elkhart, Kansas; he joined the Friendswood Independent
School District in 1971 and served the district for 25 years as a
teacher, coach, and administrator, until his retirement; he
guided the Friendswood Mustangs to a state championship in 1973
and helped them reach the 2A and 3A playoffs multiple times; he
was later inducted into the Friendswood Mustang Hall of Honor,
and in 2015, he was named an Honorary Distinguished Alumni of
Friendswood High School; and
WHEREAS, A man of strong religious faith, Mr. Harris was a
longtime member of Friendswood Friends Church; through the
years, he served the congregation as a Sunday school teacher, as
a youth group sponsor, and as head of the ministry and oversight
committee; he also led the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
chapter at Friendswood High, and in 1986, the group named him
State Huddle Leader of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Harris shared a loving relationship with his
wife, Karolena Joyce Boyle Harris, that spanned more than six
decades; he was the proud father of two sons, Kevin and Kelly, and
with the passing years, he was further blessed with three
grandsons, James, Kenton, and Charles; and
WHEREAS, Kenton Harris lived a full and generous life
devoted to his family, his profession, and his faith, and he
leaves behind a legacy of integrity and generosity that will
continue to inspire all those he leaves behind; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Kenton Dale
Harris and extend heartfelt sympathy to his relatives and many
friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Kenton Dale Harris.
Taylor
Alvarado Hancock Nichols Alvarado Hancock Nichols
Alvarado Hancock Nichols
Bettencourt Hinojosa Paxton Bettencourt Hinojosa Paxton
Bettencourt Hinojosa Paxton
Birdwell Huffman Perry Birdwell Huffman Perry
Birdwell Huffman Perry
Blanco Hughes Powell Blanco Hughes Powell
Blanco Hughes Powell
Buckingham Johnson Schwertner Buckingham Johnson Schwertner
Buckingham Johnson Schwertner
Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger
Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger
Creighton Lucio Springer Creighton Lucio Springer
Creighton Lucio Springer
Eckhardt Menéndez West Eckhardt Menéndez West
Eckhardt Menéndez West
Gutierrez Miles Whitmire Gutierrez Miles Whitmire
Gutierrez Miles Whitmire
Hall Nelson Zaffirini Hall Nelson Zaffirini
Hall Nelson Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 28, 2021, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Alvarado Hancock Nichols
Bettencourt Hinojosa Paxton
Birdwell Huffman Perry
Blanco Hughes Powell
Buckingham Johnson Schwertner
Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger
Creighton Lucio Springer
Eckhardt Menéndez West
Gutierrez Miles Whitmire
Hall Nelson Zaffirini