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Visitation:
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 24, 2018, at
the First United Methodist Church of Lincoln
Service:
10:30 a.m. Monday at the church
Funeral home: Peasley Funeral Home, Lincoln
Obituary
Thomas Murray Harris, Sr., 95, of
Lincoln passed away peacefully on September 18,
2018, at his home in Lincoln.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Britta
Borgeson Harris, whom he married on April 15, 1950.
He is also survived by his children: Jean (Doug)
Brown of LaGrange, Dr. John (Tamara) Harris, Ponte
Vedra Beach, FL, Julie Larson, Lincoln, Thomas
(Regina) Harris, Jr., Lincoln; and twelve
grandchildren: Renee Brown, Andrew Brown, Janet
Brown, Phillip Brown, Savannah Harris, John Harris,
Jr., Genevieve (Nathan) Neal, Britta (Kyle) Venstrom,
Christina Larson, Thomas Harris, III, Katherine
Harris, and Dean Harris.
He was preceded in death by his
eldest daughter, Janet Harris, in 1974, and his
brother, Homer B. Harris, Jr. (“Bud”), in 2017.
Tom was born in Lincoln on May 14, 1923, the son of
Homer Blinn and Renee Murray Harris. He graduated
from Lincoln High School in 1941. After completing
two years at Northwestern University, he enlisted in
the United States Naval Air Corps in 1943 and was in
uniform for two and a half years during WW II as a
carrier-based fighter pilot. He was honorably
discharged from active service in November, 1945,
having attained the rank of ensign, and he remained
in the Naval Reserve until 1957.
Following the war, Tom returned to Northwestern
University where he studied law and received his
degree in 1948. After passing the bar examination,
he joined his father in the family law firm, Harris
& Harris, in Lincoln in 1949. His younger brother,
Bud, joined the law firm in 1950. Tom practiced law
for 62 years, primarily as a probate lawyer, and
retired in 2012 at age 89.
Tom was a former Republican state central
committeeman and chairman of the Logan County
Regional Planning Commission. |
He served on many civic and community boards in
Lincoln and Logan County. Tom was a member of the Lincoln United
Methodist Church, Illinois State Bar Association, and Logan County
Bar Association. He was honored to participate in a Land of Lincoln
Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2013.
Tom loved traveling with his family. He especially enjoyed his time
spent fishing, whether or not he caught anything. A varsity tennis
player in college, Tom continued to play in local leagues and
introduced his children to the sport. He maintained an interest in
flying for many years after his military service, flying locally and
attending airshows. Tom was also a jazz music enthusiast. He and
Britta regularly travelled with friends to jazz concerts and
festivals.
Tom lived his life as a gentleman. He was both respectful and
respected. He greeted others with an easy smile and firm handshake.
He was loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed
and fondly remembered.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 24, 2018, at
10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Lincoln with
Rev. Michael Paulson officiating. Visitation will be held prior to
the service from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the church. Burial
will be in New Union Cemetery in Lincoln. Peasley Funeral Home
is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of
Lincoln or American Legion Post #263.
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