Ted Eugene Harris

Funeral services for Ted Eugene Harris, 96, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 29, 2025, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Mr. Harris passed away at 11:45 a.m., Saturday, August 23, 2025, at NHC Healthcare.

He was born May 31, 1929, to Ted S. Harris and Willie Agnes Campbell Harris in Howell County, Missouri.  Ted was busy during his 96 years of life with his schooling, jobs, hobbies and family.  As a young man, Ted earned a seven-year Sunday school perfect attendance pen from the Methodist church he attended.  Ted attended Rock Valley Elementary school and was a graduate of West Plains High School in May of 1947.  He earned his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Industrial Arts Education in May of 1952 at the Central Missouri State Teachers College, Warrensburg, Missouri.  He also had high school level coursework that allowed him to teach chemistry, agriculture and mathematics.  Mr. Harris was president of the square dance club during his college days.  Ted joined the United States Navy in March of 1952 and was a Naval Aviation Cadet.  He graduated from pre-flight school in October of 1953 in Pensacola, Florida.  The 15-week course prepared the recruits to be Officer Candidates as well as to fly airplanes.  He was part of the ZP 4 airship squadron in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and also worked with blimps while in the Navy.  He earned the National Defense Service Medal and his gold wings.  Mr. Harris served part of his enlistment at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where his grandson was also stationed many years later.  Ted loved to tell stories about his time in the military, especially flying planes.  He continued to fly for several years after his honorable discharge while serving eight years as part of the local civil air patrol.  In 1954 Ted started his Masters and graduated with his Masters of Science in Education Industrial Arts Professor with his principalship in August, 1960 at Central Missouri State College, Warrensburg, Missouri.  During this time the State of Missouri was enacting laws to force consolidation of one room schools.  Ted had several uncles, as well as his father, that were on school boards around West Plains.  This information allowed these relatives to put into motion the action plan that resulted in the Fair View School consolidation.  Ted’s father was on the first school board at Fair View in 1956.  On December 24, 1955, Ted was married at West Plains, to Norma Sue Stephens.  This year would have been their 70^th wedding anniversary.  To this union, three children were born:  Janice, Douglas and Kathy.   He was very proud of his children.  He taught industrial arts in West Plains, Collins, Alton and Willow Springs schools, all in Missouri.  He was a principal at Collins, Missouri.  Ted developed many lifetime friendships with former students from his 13 years as an educator.  He designed and built many houses and barns during his lifetime, including one for his parents and his final 5 level split level home.  Ted acted as the architect and contractor as he oversaw the masonry, plumbing, electrical, finishing and framework of these homes and barns.  Mr. Harris was a farmer raising horses, cattle and pigs; he always had a love for animals.  He belonged to the Pioneer Saddle Club.  He owned and operated the Harris Trucking Company for many years; his 8 trucks hauled livestock mainly out of the Central Ozark Livestock Barn south of West Plains.  Ted was a lifetime member and a Chaplin at the Am Vets Post 98 in West Plains; he spent many hours working on the beautiful memorial wall at Post 98.  Even in his later years, you could find Ted with gloves in his hand, ready to work.  He and Norma put together many puzzles in the last few years.  He spent time on his various hobbies, such as making wooden frames, benches and other beautiful wooden items.  Ted was still logging and designing house plans until recently.  He always enjoyed spending time with his family and having a good meal with them.

Ted is much loved by his family and will be greatly missed.  He is survived by his wife, Norma, of the family home; children, Janice, Douglas and Kathy (Carson); grandchildren, Stephanie, Staci, Lauran (Jerome), Nathaniel, Ashley (Chris) and Riley (Whitney); great-grandchildren, Lennon, Donovan, Lilah and Rowyn, all of whom brought a big smile to his face. 

His parents, brothers, Winifred and Sidney Harris, his sister, Louise Callahan, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins, preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery where seven generations of Ted’s family are buried.  Memorial contributions may be made to Evergreen Cemetery or American Cancer Society, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.