Jay Rite Harris, 87, of McKinney, Texas, passed away on December 26, 2021, from complications of Parkinson's. He was born on November 28, 1934, in Monticello, Arkansas, to Travis and Bertie Harris. He graduated in 1953 from Eudora High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from University of Central Arkansas and served three years of active duty in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Lake Champlain CVS-39. He retired from Naval Reserve in 1972 as Lieutenant.
In 1960, he was employed by The Travelers Insurance Company in Lubbock, Texas, where he met and married Charlotte Sneed on July 20, 1962. The couple lived in Houston, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona, Peoria, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri while with the Travelers. During that time, they added a daughter and two sons to their family.
In 1975, Jay resigned as a Travelers Commercial & Casualty Property Manager and moved the family to Sweetwater, Texas, where he was co-owner and operator of The Thompson Insurance Agency. While in Sweetwater, he was active in the community serving on the Chamber of Commerce board, as chairman of the Rolling Plains Hospital Board, Vice President of the Sweetwater Rotary Club, Chairman of the Administrative Board of First United Methodist Church and on the Advisory Board of the United Methodist Northwest Conference.
In 1982, he joined his brother in the Max Harris & Co. Insurance Agency in Midland, Texas. He retired from the insurance business in 2005 and turned his videography hobby into Lone Star Video Productions. He also worked as a legal videographer through Permian Court Reporters.
In Midland, he was a member of First United Methodist Church and Partners Sunday School Class. He served on the Administrative Board and as chairman of the Finance Committee. He also served as chairman of the Insurance Advisory Board of the United Methodist Northwest Conference and was active in the Midland High Band Boosters Club, serving as treasurer.
In 2008, he again retired and he and Charlotte moved to McKinney where he has been a member of First United Methodist Church and the Canafax Sunday School Class. He has served at FUMC as usher and on the security team.
Jay is survived by his wife of 59 years, Charlotte, and his children, Blake Morgan (Rick) of La Jolla, CA, Paul H. Harris (Luci) of Austin, Texas and Jim Harris (Jackie) of Plano, Texas, three grandchildren, Taylor Morgan of Dallas, Texas, Thomas Morgan of San Diego, California and Hunter Paulsen of Plano, Texas, sister-in-law, Fern Harris of Midland, Texas, nieces Travis Michael (Terry) of Pagosa Springs, Colorado and Vicki Harris of Cameron, Texas and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Max Harris.
Jay enjoyed videography, fishing and watching football. He enjoyed music and participating with his children in their high school band endeavors. He was so very proud of each of his children and grandchildren
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at First United Methodist Church, McKinney, Texas 75069.
A graveside inurnment will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First United Methodist Church, McKinney, Texas or a favorite charity.