Raymond G. Harris' Obituary
Raymond Gibson Harris, 75, of Richardson, Texas, passed away on September 2, 2021 due to complications with Alzheimer’s disease.
Gibb was born October 24, 1945 to Raymond and Mozelle (Sanford) Harris in McKinney, Texas. In 1963, Gibb was practicing for a high school talent show with some friends and they decided to form a band called “The Excels”, just for fun. Gibb was the drummer. The band was immensely popular and subsequently they signed a recording contract in 1965. The group broke up in 1966, but The Excels were eventually inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2006. Gibb went on to serve in the Special Intelligence division of the Army from 1966–1969.
Gibb met his wife, Carol Burke during college in 1970 and went on to have three children, Brandon, Blake, and Shelly. In 1972, Gibb completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business from North Texas State University. He proceeded to have a lauded career as a broker for high-risk oil insurance.
Gibb loved mornings, the Dallas Cowboys, loud music, big TVs, guns, spaghetti westerns, a rare steak, Jack Daniels, and a predictable daily routine. He hated vegetables, game shows, and anyone sitting in his recliner. He was an accomplished marksman who embarrassed his son Blake by out shooting him at the range. Gibb was great at hogging the remote, exploding hot dogs in the microwave, and teaching all of his children how to ride a bike. He was also a compulsive cleaner that was known to try to take your plate before you were finished just so he could wash it. He took extreme pride in his three grandchildren, Sarah (11), Channing (8), and Jack (7) for whom he would bounce on his knee at length in order to emit squeals of laughter. Gibb was a humble man that appreciated quiet evenings on the patio and telling stories. And you could be sure 50% of every story was true. You just never knew which 50%.
Gibb was notoriously a pied piper for all cats. They adored him and his infectious neck scratching, despite his neutral feelings about them. He deeply loved his dog Duke who was a constant and loyal companion at his side.
Gibb is survived by his wife Carol (Burke) Harris, his son Blake Harris and his wife Megan; his daughter Shelly (Harris) Turner and her husband, Faulkner; his grandchildren Sarah and Jack Harris and Channing Turner; his stepmother Mary (Phillips) Harris; stepbrother Ollie Phillips; his cousin Jim Foster and his wife Kay. He was preceded in death by his son Brandon Harris; and his parents Raymond and Mozelle (Sanford) Harris.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 12 from 2:00–3:30 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home.
Graveside service will be held on Monday, September 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Restland Whispering Waters.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in his honor to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
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