James K. Harris
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Graveside services for James K. Harris "J.K.", 92, of White Oak, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 23, 2010, at White Oak Cemetery, next to his late wife, Dorothy R. Patrick Harris and his daughter, Robyn Deatherage. J.K. died Sunday, December 19, 2010.

J.K was born April 28, 1918, in Gilmer, Texas, the 4th of four children born to George H. Harris and Mattie Pink Terry. J.K. graduated from the Texas Military College in Terrell, Texas, on May 31, 1935.

On December 4, 1943, J.K. and Dorothy Patrick were married in Gilmer and settled in White Oak.

J.K. and Homer Deakins opened the Deakins & Harris Motor Company in Longview, Texas, in the early 1940s. J.K. was active in the PRCA and was best known as "Red" Harris. His roping arena in White Oak was a favorite place for many years with local and professional ropers. In the 40s and 50s, J.K. and Dorothy traveled from coast to coast pulling his horses with their Chrysler New Yorker. J.K. participated and won many of the calf roping events, including the rodeo in New York's Madison Square Garden, earning him the reputation of a champion roper. J.K. would tell you the best years of his life were when the family moved to Queen Creek, Arizona, where he was actively working on a cattle ranch. Beside many trophies from his rodeo days, he also bagged many deer, bear and mountain lion.

J.K. always enjoyed being outdoors, whether in the roping area or on the lake or golf course. You can take the man out of Texas, but you can not take the Texas out of the man, so the family returned to White Oak in 1955.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy; his daughter, Robyn; his sister, Lynn Doby; and brothers, Gaines and Lawrence Harris. J.K. is survived by two children, Jim Harris and Judy Ellsworth; 13 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m.. Wednesday, December 22, 2010, at Welch Funeral Home, 4619 Judson Road in Longview.