Eugene Harris

Eugene L. Harris, 90 of Grandview, passed away Friday, August 15, 2014 in Grandview. He was born to the late Emmett E. Harris and Irene V. Overton Harris on October 20, 1923 in Burleson, Texas. Gene was raised in Burleson. He learned the art of hard work from his Dad, who was a carpenter. Gene graduated from Burleson High School as Valedictorian of his class in 1941. He went on a blind date with a beautiful girl named Lois Julia Jones and they were married in June of 1947 and they enjoyed 62 wonderful years together. Gene started a small dairy and later began driving a gasoline truck, which led to operating a small Mobil Service Station. What started as one small station with lots of work by this couple, became Gene Harris Petroleum Inc.; a gasoline distributorship and a propane delivery business. Gene helped bring a Doctor to Burleson and helped acquire land for Warren Park. In the early 1970's this couple found their own piece of Heaven on Earth in Grandview, Texas and started spending weekends on the ranch they purchased. It wasn't long before their children started spending weekends at the Ranch and making Grandview First Baptist Church their church home where Gene and Lois were members for over 40 years. Before long the whole family had moved to Grandview. Once they arrived they saw a business opportunity and built an old country store on I-35 and 916. This was their first venture into the convenience store business. This country store was later moved North to Egan and a more modern store was built on the site. More recently they provided the building for Grandview's first food franchise; "The Subway" next to the Grandview Fast Stop. Gene was a member of six Chambers of Commerce; a member of the Board of Directors for Bethesda Water Coop; Everman National Bank; Texas Propane Gas Association; Texas Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association. He has been honored with the Community Builder's Award by the Grandview Masonic Lodge and with the J. W. Norwood Award by the Burleson Ex-Student's Association. Gene moved into the Grandview Nursing & Rehab facility in October of 2012 where he was King and spent his final two years joking with and enjoying the staff. They loved him well. He is survived by his daughters, Paula Quisenberry and her husband, David of Grandview, Donna Ballew of Grandview; his sister, Jeanette McCrory of Burleson; his daughter in law, Laurie Harris of Albuquerque, NM; 8 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Julia Jones Harris; by his son, Roger Harris; also by his brother, Phillip Harris. Services to celebrate his life are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of Grandview with Rev. Russell Allen and Rev. Preston Cave officiating. Interment will follow at the Grandview Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, August 18, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of Grandview. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Grandview Missions Fund, P. O. Box 454, Grandview, Texas 76050. www.waynebozefuneralhome.com

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