Edwin Fleener Harris

Edwin Fleener Harris passed away at his home on January 31, 2016, after several years of suffering from dementia. He was born in Abilene, Texas, on December 21, 1924, to Mable Lee Fleener Harris and Benjiman Braselton Harris. He graduated from Big Spring High School in 1942, and entered the United States Navy at age 17. He served on the USS Bell during World War II in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Baltic, re-enlisted in August 1946, and was commissioned in the Naval Reserves in 1948, where he served until 1982, and retired as a Captain. Upon return to the States in 1946, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Houston in 1950. He was a licensed professional engineer in every state. He was also a Land Surveyor in two states. He was employed by Tennessee Gas Transmission Company from 1950 to 1990, when he retired as Director of the Kern River Gas Project. He was a member of the Society of Civil Engineers and was Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee in the Houston Chamber of Commerce in the late 1970s. He was an active member of the East Texas Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America in Huntsville, Texas. Edwin was an avid runner for many years and ran about 60 marathons and ten triathlons. He also loved to travel and he and his wife traveled all over the world, both on land and on cruises. The family wants to give special thanks to Pat Oliphant, who took such excellent care of him over the past year. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister and brother-in-law, Candy and P.A. Daniel, and grandson, Matthew Edwin Harris. He is survived by Cynthia Harris, his wife of 44 years; two sons D. Michael Harris (wife Karol Kaye), and John Edwin Harris, Austin; two grandsons Jason and Britt Harris, Houston; and niece, Linda Gayle Kennedy, Tyler. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2016, at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2016, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, with burial at 2:30 p.m. at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas. Memorial condolences may be made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Edwin Fleener Harris

December 21, 1929 - January 31, 2016