Robert Houston "Bob" Harris

ROBERT HOUSTON "Bob" HARRIS passed away Friday morning, the 23rd of July 2004, at his beloved home overlooking Galveston Bay with his wife, Rebecca, and his family at his bedside. He was born on the 4th of March 1936 in Nashville, Tennessee. Bob Harris was one of the founders of Houston's Allen Park Inn and served as President and General Manager for 28 successful years. Founded in 1974, the Allen Park Inn was renowned for its beautiful landscape, southern cuisine, and friendly service. Bob began his business career in Nashville where he owned over 50 food and beverage outlets. By 1967, he had left Nashville for Rapid City, SD and Denver, CO to join the Prairie States Life Insurance Co. In 1968, Bob accepted a position with Kentucky Fried Chicken as an Area Director of their company-owned stores in the Tidewater Virginia Region. In a short time, he was promoted to head up the firm's Houston market. From his roots in Nashville, then to Denver, Chicago, Norfolk, and finally to the establishment of the Allen Park Inn, Bob's mastery of hospitality and entrepreneurship allowed him to carve a unique business enterprise out of what many had considered a lost cause. For almost thirty years, both Bob and Becky devoted themselves to making the venture a success and a focal point for true hospitality in Houston. Following extensive damage from Tropical Storm Allison, the "API" closed in 2001. Bob and Becky then retired to their home on Galveston Bay. Bob was preceded in death by his father, J. O. Harris; brother, J. O. Harris, Jr.; mother-in-law, Bertha Parish of Huntingdon, TN. He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Rebecca; mother, Jeanette Harris of Murfreesboro, TN; sons, John R. Harris and wife, Letty, Victor Harris and wife, Janet, Greg Moore, Robert Harris, Jr. and wife, Janice; daughters, Susan Moore of Houston, Dani Curtner, and Tia Wheeler of Nashville; several beloved grandchildren; and brother, Ray Harris and wife, Jenny, of Murfreesboro, TN. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six until eight o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 26th of July, in the Library of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. The funeral service will be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 27th of July, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, with Rev. George Aurich as officiant. Bob will return to his hometown of Nashville where friends will gather for a final visitation from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Friday, the 30th of July, at the Ellis Funeral Home, 2627 Nolensville Road in Nashville, (615) 255-5412. The funeral service in Nashville will be conducted at eleven o'clock on Saturday morning, the 31st of July, at the Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at the historic Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1101 Lebanon Road, Nashville, TN 37210.