Funeral services for James Jerry Harris were held Monday, February 26, 2023 from the Newton County Funeral Home – North Chapel with Rev. Mark Vincent officiating. Interment followed in the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army Funeral Honor Guard.
Mr. Harris, age 90, and a resident of Decatur, passed away Saturday, February 17, 2024 at his home. Jerry Harris was born and raised in Decatur, Mississippi and was the oldest of five (5) children. He attended school in Decatur where he played high school baseball and was co-captain while playing high school football. During his junior year, he was named “cutest boy” and was selected as Mr. Decatur High his senior year. During his freshman year at Mississippi State University, he played on the MSU freshman football team as well as on the MSU baseball team. Shortly thereafter in 1955, he was sent to Company D 34th Medium Tank Battalion for basic training. After his service in the Army, he returned to Mississippi State University to earn his master’s degree in Entomology. He then moved to Clarksdale in 1959 and began to work for Swift Chemical, Olin Chemical, Coahoma Chemical and Helena Chemical before starting his own company, Southern Chemical and Seed. Dad loved his work and his employees. He made lasting friendships with many of the farmers he served. He was a kind and quiet man who had a generous and loving heart. He and his wife Jo were married for 70 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Coburn and Mittie Lou Dearman Harris; one brother, Pat Harris and two brothers-in-law, Bill Simkins and Dr. Robert Ritter.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Minnie Jo Milner Harris of Decatur, MS; one son, James Jerry Harris, Jr. (Deborah) of Starkville, MS; two daughters, Julie Nabors (Ronnie) of Fayette, AL and Joanie Tedford of Clarksdale, MS; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Chris Harris (DeAnne) of Decatur, MS; sisters, Sue Simkins of Brandon, MS and Patsy Ritter of Ridgeland, MS; one sister-in-law, Linda Harris of Decatur, MS; several nieces and nephews.
Those serving as pallbearers were Matt Tedford, Ben Tedford, Nathan Nabors, Matthew Orr, Jeff Harris and Cory Cleveland.
Newton County Funeral Home – North, 9998 Hwy. 15 N., Newton served the Harris family.
An online guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.newtoncountyfuneralhome.com
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