Ernest Harris of Celina, Texas and previously of Plano, Texas passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 1, 2017, five days before his 75th birthday. Ernest retired as an executive from Frito-Lay, Inc. and embarked on a second corporate journey with Mission Foods, from which he retired as a vice-president. After having played football for Texas Tech University and attending a pro-football training camp, injury forced him to become an obsessed spectator. He loved all sports and enjoyed playing tennis, softball, golf and in most recent years, bowling. Ernest loved his children and grandchildren immensely and enjoyed giving and doing for all his family and friends. He was aptly described by his mother-in-law as a big teddy bear. He truly had a heart of gold. Anything and everything he could give he did to those he loved. Ernest’s capacity of giving was only upstaged by his deep loyalty to his family although he sometimes had an ornery way of showing his love, one could never doubt its existence. The intense love and care he had for all animals, especially dogs, was as heart stopping as his loud random “singing” of his favorite oldies. He literally clapped to his own beat. The almost boyish look of wonder and love Ernest wore whenever his family, especially children, made him proud would soften even the hardest of hearts. No matter the transgression you could always find forgiveness with Ernest. This brilliant mind who answered every question on jeopardy correct, and knew every soldier and battle of the civil war, and took trivial pursuit to a whole new level, still took the time to play dolls with his little Pooter, and go on long journeys with complicatedly named imaginary friends with his little Maddog. Ernest was truly a man who selflessly jumped into life’s adventures when he was terrified beyond belief only to learn he enjoyed every bit of it. Denise was the absolute love of his life. The more he complained about things it seemed, the more he loved them.
Ernest is survived by his wife of 29 years, Denise Harris, his children, Ken Harris of McKinney, Texas; Nichole Harris of Celina, Texas; Jennifer Harris of Celina, Texas and David Harris of Los Angeles, California, daughter-in-law Sara Harris of Celina, Texas and his grandchildren Nicholas Harris, Jacob Brown, Wesley Beard and Emma Harris all of Celina. He is also survived by two sisters; Carol Milburn of Whitesboro, Texas and Donna Tamblen of Sherman, Texas as well as numerous extended family members which he loved dearly. Ernest was preceded in death by his parents Ernest Clifford Harris and Esther Cothell (Horton) Harris, as well as his brother, Billy and his mother-in-law and father-in-law.
Family and friends are invited to a Remembrance Gathering on Sunday, October 08, 2017 from 1-3 PM at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home 109 South Oklahoma Street, Celina, Texas 75009.