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Thomas Murray Harris, Sr.

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[September 27, 2018]  LINCOLN - Thomas Murray Harris, Sr., 95, of Lincoln passed away peacefully on September 18, 2018, at his home in Lincoln.

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.

Funeral Director

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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