Russell E. Harris Sr.

Russell E. Harris, Sr., age 79, of Troy, Alabama, went to be with his Lord Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011. Funeral services for Mr. Harris will be at Green Hills Funeral Home Tuesday, Aug. 16, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Andrew Knick officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A committal service will follow at Green Hills Memorial Cemetery. Visitation for Mr. Harris was held Monday, Aug. 15, at the funeral home.

Mr. Harris was a devoted and loving husband for more than 56 years to his wife, Jo Harris. He was a longtime member and deacon at Southside Baptist Church and was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. Mr. Harris was very gracious of his time for his community. He was a longtime coach and umpire for the city of Troy. He also was honored by the American Red Cross for donating over 10 gallons of his blood over his lifetime.

Mr. Harris played professional baseball. While serving his country in the U.S. Army, Mr. Harris was chosen to play baseball for the Army team. He was also honored to play for Coach Chase Riddle in the Alabama/Florida League.

He was a graduate of Troy University and worked for the Alabama Highway Department in Montgomery, Ala., as a computer programmer for 31 years.

Mr. Harris is survived by his wife, Jo Harris; one son; Russ Harris, Jr. (Sharon); one daughter, Shannon Hawk (Victor); one brother, Robert Harris (Sara); one sister, Willie Mae Hobbs; four sisters-in-law, Ann McWhorter, Mary Taylor (Charles), Jacqueline Harris and Edna Harris; seven grandchildren, Rusty Allen, Dalton Harris, Savanna Harris, Serse Salmons, Chace Hawk, Kristin Callaway and Nick Hawk; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Gillis Harris, Willis Harris and Garrett Harris; and one sister, Minnie Lee McLendon.

Serving as pall bearers are Charles Taylor, Don Davis, Bradley Loving, Rod McWhorter, Kenneth Carter and Lamar Davis. Honorary pall bearers are Jeff Bentley, James Duncan, Mike McCraw, Jeff Davis and Ney Park.

Memorials in his honor may be made to the Southside Baptist Church building fund or to Hospice Advantage of Troy.

Friends can sign the guest book or order flowers at www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net. Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Russell Harris.