Joe Leon Harris was born October 1, 1944 in Richland, Washington to JD Harris and Lola Holloway Harris. He entered the gates of Heaven on May 8, 2026 at the age of 81.

Called Leon by his family, Joe grew up in the Ozarks on a farm in West Plains, Missouri. He loved the outdoors. Fishing anywhere, but especially in the creeks that ran behind his boyhood home, camping, gardening and observing nature were his favorite past times.

Faith and Service were very important aspects of his life. Joe accepted Jesus Christ as his savior and was a member of the First Christian Church, West Plains, Missouri where he served as a church council member. He enlisted in the United States Navy from 1963-1967 and was a part of the Military Honor Guard during his later years. Showing respect for God, the flag, his fellow veterans and active military were obvious in his actions and how he lived life.

Joe trained as an electrician while in the navy but in reality he could do almost any skill needed. Building a house, car mechanics, running a business were all in his wheelhouse. He started his own business in 1990. He loved the work and made it successful before retiring in 2009 doing industrial equipment sales.

As a dedicated family man Joe took great pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It gave him great joy to be Dad, Papa or Poppy depending on which child was with him. Joe was united in marriage to Mable Long Harris on December 29, 1963. They had three children. Mable proceeded him in death on September 30, 1997. Life offered him new love and he was married to Pamela Weaver Harris on May 12, 2004. Pam brought two children to the family.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 22 years, Pamela, of the family home; daughter, Patty Goforth (husband Calvin); daughter, Amy Harris; son, Joe Leon Harris Jr. (wife Jennifer); daughter, Jolynn Abney; eight grandchildren, Jessica Stanifer (husband Joshua), Zachary Shockey (wife Nicole), Melanie Wright, Freeman Goforth (fiancee’ Shelby), Dillian Goforth (wife Danielle), Katie Moore (husband Aron), Jordan Abney and Rebecca Abney (partner Dustin); seventeen great-grandchildren with one on the way; brother, David Harris (wife Betty); sister, Katherine McKellar; sister, Tammy Gross (husband Greg); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joe is preceded in death by his first wife, Mable, parents, JD and Lola, son, John David Hayes, brother, Dwayne Harris and brother-in-law, Roger McKellar.

A service to honor and celebrate the life of Joe Leon Harris will be held at the First Christian Church of West Plains, Missouri on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 2:00p.m., under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Interment will be immediately after at Stuart Union Cemetery with full military honors.  Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  All who knew him are welcome to attend. Memorial contributions may be made to Stuart Union Cemetery, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.