Eric W. Harris
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Eric Wyckoff Harris, Sr. | |
| Born | January 8, 1916 Rapides Parish, Louisiana, USA |
|---|---|
| Died | October 24, 2007 (aged 91) Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana |
| Occupation | Businessman; Founded first Jaycees chapter in Louisiana |
| Religious beliefs | Methodist |
| Spouse | Nelwyn Rhodes Harris (married 1941-his death) |
| Children | Eric W. Harris, Jr. Sandra Harris Kearney |
Eric Wyckoff Harris, Sr. (January 8, 1916 - October 24, 2007),[1] was an Alexandria businessman and civic leader who in 1939 headed the committee which organized the first Louisiana chapter of the Jaycees, or United States Junior Chamber. A builder and real estate developer, he was co-owner of Hill Harris & Company from 1936 until his death.[2]
Harris was born to Homer H. Harris, Sr. (1890-1971),[1] and the former Arletta Cato (1888-1987)[1] at Hard Times Plantation south of Alexandria. The family moved to Alexandria in 1921. He graduated from Bolton High School in Alexandria, attended Baptist-affiliated Louisiana College in Pineville for two years, and graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He was a member of Sigma Chi social fraternity. During World War II, Harris volunteered in the United States Army Air Corps, the foreunner of the Air Force. He piloted B-29 bombers.[2]
Harris was a member of the Alexandria-Pineville Chamber of Commerce and chaired its aviation committee. He also served for a decade on the Rapides Parish Aviation Authority, including two years a president. Harris was a director of the Central Cities Development Corporation and a former president of the Rapides Parish Industrial Development Board. He was past president of the Alexandria Lions Club and scored perfect attendance for sixty-three years. He was active in the Committee for a Better Alexandria and worked on the development of navigation projects on the Red River.[2]
Harris died at his Alexandria residence. Survivors included his wife of sixty-six years, the former Nelwyn Rhodes of Alexandria; two daughters, and her husband, James Michael Kearney of Alexandria, and Conni Harris Smith of Lafayette, the widow of Hadley M. Smith (1940-1996)[1]; one son, Eric W. Harris, Jr. (born ca. 1942) of Moncks Corner, South Carolina; one brother, James C. Harris of Alexandria, and five grandchildren.[2] He was preceded in death by another brother, Homer Harris, Jr. (1910-1999).[1]
Services were held on October 26, 2007, at First United Methodist Church in Alexandria, where he served on the building committee. Interment was in Greenwood Memorial Park in Pineville.[2]
