Ted Eugene Harris

1929 - 2025

Ted Eugene Harris passed from this life at the age of 96 on at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. He was born on May 31, 1929, to Ted S. Harris and Willie Agnes Campbell Harris in Howell County, Mo.

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.

Ted attended Rock Valley Elementary school and was a May 1947 graduate of West Plains High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Education in May 1952 at the Central Missouri State Teachers College in Warrensburg, Mo. He also had high school level coursework that allowed him to teach chemistry, agriculture and mathematics. He was president of the square dance club during these college days.

He joined the Navy in March 1952 and was a Naval Aviation Cadet. He graduated from pre-flight school in October 1953 in Pensacola, Fla. 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, N.C. He also worked with blimps while in the Navy. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and his gold wings. He served part of his enlistment at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where his grandson was also stationed many years later. He loved to tell stories about his time in the military, especially flying planes. He continued to fly planes for several years after his honorable discharge while serving eight years as a part of the local civil air patrol.

In 1954, Ted started his master's. He graduated with his Master of Science in Education Industrial Arts Professor with his principalship in August 1960 at Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg.

He married Norma Sue Stephens on Dec. 24, 1955, in West Plains, Mo. This year would have been their 70th wedding anniversary. To this union, three children were born: Janice, Douglas and Kathy. He was very proud of his children.

He taught industrial arts at West Plains, Collins, Alton and Willow Springs schools in Missouri. He was a principal at Collins, Mo. He 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 five-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.

He was a farmer raising horses, cattle and pigs, and 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 eight trucks hauled livestock mainly out of the Central Ozark Livestock Barn south of West Plains.

Ted was a lifetime member and a chaplain at AMVETS 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, like making nice 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.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ted and Agnes Harris, brothers Winifred and Sidney Harris and his sister Louise Callahan, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He 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, Lauren (Jerome), Nathaniel, Ashley (Chris) and Riley (Whitney); and great-grandchildren Lennon, Donovan, Lilah and Rowyn, all of whom brought a big smile to his face.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, in the Rose Chapel, also at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery where seven generations of Ted's family are buried. Memorial contributions can be made to the Evergreen Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains.