Joel Lamonte Harris' Obituary
HARRIS, JOEL “PAT” LAMONTE ,79, of Dallas Texas, died on June 8, 2013, after an extended illness. He was born in Stephenville, Texas, on November 19, 1933, to Lyle and Nell Harris and had a wonderful childhood with his siblings Carolyn, Joan, and Bill. Joel met his true love and soul mate in Martha and they married on December 17,1988, sharing many wonderful adventures and memories for almost 25 years. Joel graduated with honors from the University of Texas, Austin, with a B.A. in Mathematics. He also did graduate studies in mathematics at UT, obtained a Texas Teacher Certification and did graduate studies in physics at North Texas State University, being awarded several National Science Foundation grants. Joel’s first career was teaching secondary mathematics and physics for more than 12 years. His second career was at Texas Instruments as a research physicist in the Central Research Lab and as an optical and marketing engineer in the electro-optics field. Joel “Pat” was an avid amateur radio operator since he was 15 years old. He worked Morse code very proficiently. His call sign, W5RID, is known all over the world as he contacted so many over his years. He sponsored student amateur radio and astronomy clubs. Joel also published Repeater Information Directories for Texas, California and other states later in his life. These fit perfectly with his call sign, W5RID! Joel was a miracle man who always gave thanks for his blessings. Joel’s doctor obtained the new drug, penicillin, from the Navy and saved his life when Joel had rheumatic fever (fatal disease at the time) when he was 10 years old. Later when Joel’s damaged heart valve needed replacement, Dr. Denton Cooley, put in his experimental “Cooley Cutter” mechanical valve in 1972. This provided Joel a good life until his aorta and mitral valves were replaced in 2000. Medical technology continued to help Joel’s heart until his death. Joel is survived by his wife, Martha Lincoln Harris; his sisters, Carolyn Wildenthal and Joan Shelton, three children from his first marriage: Karen Lawrence, Mark Harris and his wife, Rachael, Steve Harris and his wife, Cathy; Martha’s sons: Bryan Holloway and his wife, “Mon” Wilmonrat, Greg Holloway his wife, “Nok” Naruchon; and 14 treasured grandchildren. They are Matthew, John, Hannah, Rebekah, and Mary Harris; Cassidy, Olivia, Andrew and Samantha Lawrence; Christopher, Nicole and Nicholas Harris; Nalynn and Glenn Holloway. Joel’s wish was to be cremated. The memorial service will be November 25, 2013, to give thanks for his life and commemorate his 80th birthday. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association or Preston Hollow United Methodist Church, Dallas. Friends can share condolences online at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/JoeIPatHarris9044/homepage.aspx
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