Harris, Ernest A. August 1, 1928 - September 16, 2015

After spending 87 years teaching, blessing, enlightening and simply enriching all those with whom he made contact, Ernie Harris passed away peacefully Tuesday with family members holding his hand. Ernest Harris was born August 1, 1928 at Tarkio, Missouri. When Ernie was 2 years old, his family moved to El Dorado Springs. He was the oldest child of Charles and Lydia Macrae Harris. Ernie had three brothers, Carl, Paul and the late Frank Harris and two sisters, Ada and Lorene. Ernie had been very active in the First Baptist Church as a choir member and director. He loved to sing and had a beautiful, baritone voice. He was a Sunday school teacher of many age groups. He was a Cub Scout Leader, served 1 term on the City Council, a charter member of the Jaycees, President and Curator of the Preserve our Past Museum and was very proud to be a charter member and president of the Light House Children’s Theatre. Ernie was always a hard worker and had many different jobs; chopping wood for sale with his father, starting furnaces at the old hotel on West Spring Street before school, setting up pins by hand at the bowling alley and working at Carter’s Grocery. After Graduation from high school, Ernie worked at Sac Osage Co-Op until he reported for duty at Camp Cook, CA before his service in Korea in the 140th tank Battalion of the 40th Division. After his return, Ernie was payroll clerk at Mid America Dairy and then became a State Farm Insurance Agent until he retired in 1994. Ernie is survived by his beautiful wife, Nancy Harris; 3 sons- Terry Harris and Steve Harris of St. Louis, MO and Fred Harris of Neosho, MO; 4 grandchildren- Brandi Van Antwerp of Springfield, MO, Sean and Ben Harris of St. Louis, MO and Lydia Harris of Neosho, MO, and 2 great-grandchildren- RJ and Leo Van Antwerp of Springfield, MO; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.