Richard Rex Harris

Richard Rex Harris, age 84, died peacefully on January 13, 2024, in Birmingham. AL. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend, and physician to all who knew him.

Rex grew up in Grove Hill, Alabama, and graduated from Clarke County High School. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Alabama. He was a lifelong fan of Alabama football and served as a tutor for the team while in school. He had many colorful stories about those days.

He received his M.D. degree from the Medical College of Alabama and completed a surgical internship at Vanderbilt University. He then served as a Captain in the US Air Force at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi followed by an orthopedic residency at University Hospital in Birmingham (now UAB). He was board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and was a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery.

He practiced at St. Vincent's Hospital where he was Chief of Orthopedics and served as the President of the Medical Staff. He also operated clinics in Clarke County and in Dallas County at Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma. One of the oldest practicing physicians in Alabama, he worked tirelessly until sidelined by illness in October of 2023.

Rex was the only child of Richard Oton Harris and Pauline Etheridge Harris. He is survived by his wife Sara, daughter Suzy (Ralph Russell), son Richard and beloved grandson Henry.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the support from friends and colleagues at Vaughan Hospital as well as the Selma community. He loved all the wonderful people he met in Selma. In addition, thank you to the doctors and staff of St. Vincent's Hospital for their compassionate care. The family would also like to thank the Rev. and Mrs. Zachary Watkins for their steadfast support.

Rex will be remembered at the Cathedral Church of the Advent on Saturday, January 20, 2024. (2017 Sixth Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203) The service will be at 1:00 p.m. followed by a visitation at the church at 2:00.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to The SAIL Fund at the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama (1130 Quintard Ave, Ste. 100, Anniston, AL 36201) to keep Alabama's kids learning reading and math while having fun each summer; LETT (Learning Excellence Through Tennis, PO Box 131114, Birmingham AL 35213) to support tennis and education programs for students in Birmingham, Bessemer and Fairfield or to the charity of your choice.