Obituary

Roy C. Harris, Jr., age, 88, died August 24, 2003, in Oklahoma City, OK. Roy was the first-born son of Roy C. and Katie Barbara Schwab Harris on January 7, 1915, in Oklahoma City, OK. He began working at age 8 in the family business, Harris Meat Packing Co., founded by his parents in 1914. As the family grew, each son assumed his role in the business. The business flourished and became known and widely acclaimed throughout the industry as the company who set the standards for modern technology and cleanliness. Learning and working in all departments, Roy eventually took the helm as its co-owner and as comptroller. He continued in this capacity until his retirement in 1974. Roy attended Franklin Elementary, Roosevelt Jr. High, Classen High School, Texas Military Institute and Oklahoma City University. As a youth Roy was a member of First Baptist Church and in later years became a member of Quail Creek Baptist Church. His interests included helping young people through his generosity to the Boy Scouts, Bethany YMCA, and those who desired a college education. He loved to garden and loved the summers of gardening and farming projects at Lytle Haven. It was there, at age 12, that he met Marianne Lytle who would later become his bride on June 14, 1936 at the Lytle homestead. During the years as a member of the Oklahoma City Rose Society, he had a number of prize-winning entries. Over the past thirty years, his home has become a showcase for a wide variety of azaleas. Roy was preceded in death by his parents, and a younger brother, James C. Harris. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Marianne Lytle Harris; a daughter Gaytra Gootos; and a son, Roy C. 'Sandy' Harris, III. two grandsons, Dr. Peter J. Gootos, II and wife Diana; Christopher J. Gootos and wife Debbie; 5 great-grandchildren: Philip, Maddie, Drew, CJ and Nicholas. He is also survived by, two brothers, Lee Harris and wife Millie; Glen 'Bud' and wife Norma; a sister, Helen Amanda Bruner; sister-inlaw Patricia Harris; and a host of nieces and nephews. A special thank you to the staff members of Frontier Hospice and his loving caregivers, Rose, Jeanne, Luttrell, and Jerri. Memorial gifts may be made to: Casady School Endowment Fund or Scholarship Fund, 9500 N. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, OK 73120, or to Oklahoma Medical Research for Shy-Drager Syndrome, 825 N.E. 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 at Smith & Kernke, 1401 N.W. 23rd. Interment will be at Pleasant Valley (Wheatland) Cemetery.

Published by Oklahoman from Aug. 26 to Aug. 27, 2003.