James Wesley Harris

James Wesley Harris went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 28, 2016, at the age of 81. He was born February 22, 1935 in Pine Bluff, AR to Holland and Eilene (Brown) Harris.

James will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and a loyal friend to those who knew him. He loved to fly, build, and work on airplanes. When his health wouldn’t allow him to fly any more, he would take as much care and time to drive and work on his John Deere tractor. He met his wife at a Nazarene Church Camp in Meridian, MS. They fell in love and married on May 27, 1955 in Drew, MS. They later moved to Memphis, TN where he started working in Fleet Service for American Airlines. He moved his family to Tulsa, OK in 1966 to attend Spartan School of Aeronautics and Technology while still working for American Airlines during the evening. He kept his pace, he would endure for a better life for his family. Thinking they would all return home across the Delta Line in 2 years after completing and receiving his Aeronautic Mechanics Licenses, instead he moved his family to Airman Acres in Collinsville, OK, building the family home and later his airplane hangar. He gave tirelessly of himself to his family, friends, and anyone he felt was in need.

James is survived by his wife of 61 years, Talca Nell (Kiker) Harris. His 4 children; Sheelagh and Steve Tallman of Collinsville, Karen Harris-Roberts of Collinsville, Dr’s Jim and Laural Harris of Desoto, TX, and David and Julie Harris of Pottsboro, TX. 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 1 great great-grandchild. He is also survived by 2 sisters; Jo Ann and Jim Backoff and Shirley Vela all of Reno, NV. 1 brother, Jerry Harris of Dallas, TX.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Holland and Eilene Harris, 1 brother, LaRon Harris, and 2 sisters, Hazel Orman and Nell Reichert.

Visitation for James will be held Wednesday, November 30, 2016 from 1:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 1, 2016 at the Collinsville Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Ryan Amey officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Collinsville. Services are under the direction of Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home, (918) 371-2111.