Samuel W. Harris

Samuel W. Harris October 10, 1923 - May 24, 2010 Samuel W. "Sam" Harris of Waco passed away Monday, May 24, 2010. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 26, at Rosemound Cemetery with Rev. Jimmie Johnson officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 25, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Samuel was born October 10, 1923, at his maternal grandparent's home at 1517 Clay Avenue, to Carter and Rosalie Golding Harris, and grew up on the family farm, located halfway between Robinson and Hewitt. On May 17, 1946, Sam was united in marriage with Doris Loesch, a union that has lasted well over a half a century. Sam was a decorated veteran of both WWII and the Korean War. He flew a 35-mission tour of duty with the 91st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in the European Theater as a Radio Operator on a B-17 known as "Little Patches". He also served as a Radio Operator on C-47s, B-17s and SA-16s Albatross, during the Korean War in the 3rd Air Rescue Squadron. A 1955 graduate of Texas A & M University and a member of The Fraternity of Alpha Zeta, a National Honor Society, Sam was a loyal Aggie who bled Maroon & White. After graduation, Sam and Doris moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he was Field Rep for the Holstein Friesian Association in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas. Moving back to the family farm in 1960, Sam and Doris operated Sunnymeade Holstein Farm along with their two children, Jan and Carter II, for eight years, dispersing the herd in 1968 due to health problems. After dispersing the Registered Holstein herd, Sam went to work for Farmland Industries, retiring in 1986, after 18 years as Territory Manager. Sam and Doris, after retirement, traveled back to Scotland and England on a couple of occasions. He was also actively involved with the Cottonwood Creek Senior Golf League, where he served as Tournament Chairman, Vice President, President, and for the last few years as Handicap Chairman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carter and Rosalie Harris; and a younger sister, Francis Hortense. Survivors include Doris, a loving and devoted wife of over 64 years; son, Carter and wife, Sheila, of Waco; daughter, Jan Wightman and husband, Mike, of Poetry, TX; and two grandsons, Sam Wightman and Tom Wightman, both of Rockwall. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Austin Ave, Waco, 76701. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.