A tribute to my husband Earl Harris who was a genuinely kind and caring person.

Earl arrived into this life on January 31, 1928 in the small rural farming town of Blackburn, Pawnee County, Oklahoma.

He is the twelfth child and the youngest son of the late Mr. John Robert Harris and Ms. Rosella Willis Harris.

Earl received his final obeisance on Friday, June 5, 2015, at 10:40 p.m. with his loving family by his side.

Earl shared his childhood memories with fourteen siblings: Elena Maxine 'Lena' Howard, Mamie Ann Motley, James 'Jim' Harris, Robert Thomas 'Art' Harris, Eddie Franklin Harris, Evvie Edwards, Juanita Blakeney, Roberta 'Robo' Coney, Ramie Rebecca Anderson, Johnnie Lewis Harris, William Stanley 'Bill' Harris, Joyce 'Louise' Lewis, Almeda Johnson and Iva Lee 'IV' Lofton.

Along with his parents and most of his fourteen siblings they migrated to California traveling through New Mexico and Texas working along the way and eventually settling down in the small rural farming town of Lemoore in the San Joaquin California Valley.

During Earl's high school years he excelled in track and football. His nickname was "FLASH".

With the best track team in several years, the school Earl attended made an impressive showing in the meets.

The outstanding Varsity man was Earl, who broke four school records. He held the 100 and the 200 yard dash, high jump and broad jump.

At his high school graduation, normally embarrassed by any fuss from family members, Earl waved excitedly as mom, dad, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends cheered for him.

It was later determined that the Harris group was the loudest bunch in the entire auditorium.

Earl received his education and this honor from the Corcoran High School located in Kings County, California.

In the early 1950s Earl moved to the San Jose Bay Area seeking employment and a better future. His young family {at that time he had three children: Earl Ray, Lorraine and Irene} eventually followed him. His middle son, Michael, was born in the Bay Area.

During his early years Earl accepted a wonderful love for the spoken spiritual word. One of his favorite biblical passages is as follows:

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." James 3:17.

Earl worked a series of different odd jobs and in 1956 he hired on with the Ford Motor Company. He was a very dear and caring person and made lasting friendships with all he encountered.

During the early 1970s Earl was an avid bowler with pals Al Lowe, John Mai, James Mull and Joe Collins.

On July 5, 1976, the birth of his youngest son, Jontue Earston Harris, help to broaden Earl's wonderful smile even more.

In May 1983 after a 26+ year career and with the relocation of the Milpitas Ford Motor Company plant he decided to semi-retire.

Earl worked another seven years with the Zycon Electronics Corporation as a painter and finally made the leap to full retirement in January 1990.

After retirement Earl enjoyed a cup of coffee in the mornings at Jack In the Box with two of his Ford pals: Manuel Rodriguez and Manuel Valdez.

During the early 1990's Earl assisted his eldest son, Earl Ray, with building the young family's first country home in Nevada City.

In his later years Earl's favorite pastime was mowing and trimming the lawn. Friends and neighbors always complimented him on how nice the yard looked and he would always beam and display that great charming smile.

Earl's smile, love and memories will forever remain in the heart of his devoted loving partner and wife Ms. Vanessa Marie Price Harris of 41+ years.

Three sons, Lt. Col. Earl Ray Harris, U.S. Army Retired with wife Jenny and family of Naga City, Philippines. Mr. Michael Dennis Harris of Manor, Texas and Mr. Jontue Earston Harris with wife Linda of San Jose, California.

Two daughters, Ms. Lorraine Diane Hampton of San Jose, California and Ms. Irene Harris of Reno, Nevada, one stepdaughter, Ms. Shari Elone Jackson of Las Vegas Nevada.

And a very special niece, Ms. Mary Louise Huggins, of Sacramento, California, who lived in Earl's home and was raised as one of his daughters.

Eleven grandchildren are left with many great memories: Khari Camara Evans, Camillio Dion Harris, Shennay Latasha Hampton, Tameka Nakia Hajali, Talya Hampton Marshall, Krystal Monique Harris, Shanika Danielle Harris, Sharlemaine Gale Olaso Harris, Alexandra Mae Olaso Harris, Earl Brandon Harris and Earl Anthony Harris.

Eleven adorable great grandchildren: Tisan Edmond Neal, Tyus Dayton Evans, Charlyce Rita Evans, Jocelyn Kahlia Evans, Devon Dion Harris, Micah Camillio Harris, Danielle Tamar Harris, Zyllah Loree Hampton, Noura Fatima Hajali, Avielle Micaiah Harris and Valerie Kamiya Marshall.

Two loving sisters: Ms. Roberta Coney of Los Angeles, California and Ms. Almeda Johnson of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Also cherishing Earl's memory are nine son-in-laws, daughter-in-laws, grandson-in-laws and granddaughter-in-laws: Millard Frank Hampton, Captain Tamar Israel Drummond, U.S. Army Retired, Hellen Degu Harris, Melinda Moreno Evans, Jennifer Olaso Harris, Linda Kim Harris, Osama Mahmoud Hajali, Theresa Tran Harris and Larry Jamerson Marshall.

His favorite uncle in-law: Mr. Cleveland McCoy Jr. of San Jose, California and his two endearing sister-in-laws: Ms. Lee Ella Harris of San Bernadino, California and Ms. Mable Loise Harris of Richmond, California.

An extended family of nine esteemed brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, along with over 500+ nieces and nephews and a multitude of many more admired relatives and friends that Earl loved so very much.

Earl was preceded in death by his loving grandparents, precious parents and twelve treasured brothers and sisters.

Also, preceded Earl in death are his beloved father and mother-in-law the late Rev. Holman Coleman Price and Mrs. Willie Fay McCoy Price of Forney, Kaufman County, Texas and 39 brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws.

The journey of life took Earl through many transitions, much like the beauty of seasons throughout the years.

He experienced the freedom of childhood, the miracle of birth, a time to realize his adulthood dreams and the joy of living a fulfilled life.

Earl loved those random memories that made him smile no matter what was going on in his life at the time. Now he is at peace. Earl has traveled through life's journey.

Earl's request was to be cremated. His ashes were spread off the Pacific Ocean coastline along Big Sur at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel Valley, California, on Thursday, September 3, 2015.