Col James Thomas Harris

Col. James T. Harris, born October 8, 1918 passed away January 22, 2016.

He was born in Travis County and raised in Central Texas. Col. Harris enlisted in the Texas National Guard in 1940 and was in the 36th Infantry Division when it was ordered into Federal service November 25, 1940. He trained with the division at Camp Bowie and then went to Florida, the Carolinas, and Camp Edwards, Massachusetts. He had Amphibious Assault training and went to North Africa in April 1943. After additional training he went with the Initial Landing Forces at Salerno, Italy September 9, 1943; where he served through the Southern France and Rhineland Campaigns, he was in Austria when the German Army surrendered in 1945. Col. Harris came back to the United States in June 1945 and was released from active duty and placed in the Army Reserve. The National Guard was federally reorganized again in 1946 and he returned to Guard Duty again. In October 1946 he started working for the Maintenance Division of the Adjutant General Department. Col. Harris helped open the maintenance shops at Camp Swift and was appointed a 2nd Lt. While working at Camp Swift he met the love of his life, Doris Hendricks; they were married for almost 62 years. He then went to Ft. Worth and was the Area Maintenance Officer for North Texas. This led him to North Fort Hood in January 1949; there he opened the Armored Vehicle Training Site. Col. Harris supported several training periods and then in 1952 moved back to Austin as Assistant State Maintenance Officer, there he coordinated maintenance activities for all area maintenance shops and had inspection teams check unit readiness throughout the State. He helped start the first National Guard officer training school and later was Commandant of the school. In December 1969 he was promoted to Colonel, and later to State Maintenance Officer (now Director of Maintenance). In December 1975 he reached mandatory retirement age, he retired with over 36 years of service. His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, American Defense Service Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars and Silver Arrow, the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal. After retirement he traveled extensively with his wife and enjoyed fishing on the Highland Lakes, and hunting with friends in the Hill Country.

He was preceded in death by his wife.

He is survived by his daughters Greggory Ann Curtis and husband Dan, and Karen Harris Polk and husband Daryl; granddaughter Kimberly Ann Campbell and husband Tommy; and brother Bob Harris and wife Edena.
A visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 pm Tuesday, January 26, 2016, Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home. Celebration of Life Services will be 10:30 am Wednesday, January 27, 2016, Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home Chapel. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Elgin Cemetery.

Memorials in honor of Col. Harris can be made to Texas Military Forces Museum, 2200 West 35th street, Austin, TX 78703, www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org