88S20087 BK-D
By: Hughes S.R. No. 2
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Memories of a life well lived may help to comfort
those saddened by the passing of Jerry Strickland Harris of
Longview on May 26, 2023, at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Harris was born in Marshall on March 4, 1935,
to Ouida Lathem and James Colbert Harris; he was raised by his
beloved aunt and uncle, Lula Belle and Exl Strickland, and he grew
up with the companionship of a brother, Louis; a star athlete at
Marshall High School, he earned a full scholarship to play football
for Rice University, and he went on to receive the 1958 George
R. Martin Award as the team's most valuable player; after
graduating from Rice, he completed his studies at Baylor University
School of Law in 1960; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Harris subsequently moved to Longview, and he
eventually joined a local law firm where he practiced for more than
six decades; along the way, he used his skills and legal acumen to
help many clients and also served as a mentor to a number of
aspiring attorneys; he continued to practice law up until his last
days; and
WHEREAS, In 1961, Mr. Harris married Claire Roberts, and they
were blessed with three children, Miriam, Melissa, and Houston;
after that marriage ended, he was fortunate enough to find love
again with Risa Horner Harris, with whom he shared the last four
decades of his life; in his leisure time, he enjoyed outdoor
activities like fishing, golfing, hunting, and skiing, and he had
many happy memories of spending summers in Colorado and taking
fishing trips to Lake Cherokee and Caddo Lake; he was known as a
dear friend and a trusted listener, and he was also blessed with a
wonderful sense of humor and a keen ability to help others see their
own potential; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Harris distinguished himself through his
unwavering commitment to his profession and to his loved ones, and
he leaves behind a legacy that will long be remembered; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature, 2nd
Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Jerry Strickland
Harris and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to
his wife, Risa Horner Harris; to his daughter, Miriam Jones, and her
sons, Harris and Houston; to his daughter, Melissa McDonald, her
husband, Scott, and their daughters and sons-in-law, Alexis and
Scott Moody and Julia and Nolan Chumbley; to his son, Houston
Harris, his wife, Dawn, and their children, Mary and Houston; to his
stepson, James Singleton; to his great-grandson, Mac Moody; and to
his other relatives and 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 Jerry Harris.