Lee Wade Harris

Lee Wade Harris, longtime Council Hill resident, died in Okmulgee on March 15, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 15, 1925 in Boynton, Oklahoma to the late George Washington "G.W." and Myrtle Irena (Harden) Harris. He married Catherine Eyvonne Dukes on October 25, 1947. A decorated war veteran, Lee attended Morris High School, until he answered the call to serve his country in the United States Navy during World War II. During the war, he served in the Pacific Theater and saw a great deal of action, including surviving a kamikaze attack. His love of country continued long after the war with his membership in the VFW and the American Legion. Lee was also a longtime member of Countryside Baptist Church, which he attended as long as his health allowed him to. There he was an active part of music ministry, along with his wife. Ministry through music was very important to him as he traveled with his family throughout several states to different nursing homes and benevolent organizations, singing and sharing the gospel. Lee was a devoted family man, and a people person, who never met a stranger. He also worked many years as a dormitory counselor at OSU Tech, a mechanic, and a cattle rancher. Lee is preceded in death by the love of his life, Catherine "Catsy" Harris, along with his parents and four sisters: Thelma White, Alma Carrick, Louise Self, and Joy Frazier. Left to cherish his memory are his five children: daughter Linda Bledsoe and husband Don of Okmulgee, son Richard Harris and wife Joyce of Okmulgee, son George Harris and wife Linda of Haskell, daughter Angela Davis of Panama, and son Randy Harris and wife Kim of Austin, Texas, thirteen grandchildren: Danny Bledsoe, Kenneth Bledsoe, Me-chelle Cash, Heather Harris, Becky Landers, David Anderson, Bonnie West, Mary Catherine Smith, Ronnie Davis, Barney Davis, Julie Davis, Patty Reece, and Tara Lynn Kistler and all of their spouses, along with his brother, Jim Clay Harris and wife Bonnie, and sister Martha Paschal. He is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and a host of friends. A funeral service celebrating Lee's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Hitchita FreeWill Baptist Church with his sons Reverend George W. Harris and Brother Richard Gene Harris officiating. Interment will follow at the Council Hill Cemetery in Council Hill, Oklahoma, with Reverend Charles Smith officiating the committal service. Serving as casketbearers will be Kenneth Bledsoe, Danny Bledsoe, Ronnie Davis, Barney Davis, David Anderson, Robert Cash, Jarrod Smith, Scott Weller, Me-chelle Cash, and Heather Harris. Honorary casketbearers will be Ed Gibson, Ron Zeigler, and Everett Staton. Friends may visit the funeral home on Friday, March 18 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present to receive guests from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Lee Wade Harris

January 15, 1925 - March 15, 2016