Thomas Harris Sr. (Veteran)

Thomas C. "T.C" Harris Sr., age 73 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011, at his home after a long battle with cancer. T.C. was born June 9, 1937, in Cooper County, Mo., the son of James O. and Eula K. Odil Harris. He was married on November 5, 1975, in Jefferson City, Mo., to Norma Houchins. A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, T.C. served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 until 1957. He was employed as a maintenance supervisor with Von Hoffmann Press for 30 years prior to his retirement in 1999. T.C. was a member of the First Baptist Church of Elston, Mo. and enjoyed working puzzles and watching bull riding. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. Survivors include: his wife, Norma Harris; four sons, Chuck Houchins and his wife Karla of Jefferson City, Mo., Thomas Harris Jr. and his wife Tammy of Burleson, Texas, Scott Harris and his wife Janet of Jefferson City, Mo., and David Harris and his wife Sherry of Smithville, Miss.; three daughters, Kathy Blakely and her husband Win of California, Mo., Donna Neely and her husband Nathan of Centertown, Mo., and Renee Griffith of Jefferson City, Mo.; one brother, James Elliott Jr. and his wife Debbie of California, Mo.; two sisters, Mildred Hampsten and her husband Ron of Texas and Elsie Burks and her husband Bob of Wichita, Kan.; 16 grandchildren, Audrey Houchins-Thoenen and her husband Kevin, Danielle Houchins, Sarah Neely, Jennifer Neely, Erin Neely, Cory Blakely and his wife Katie, Ryan Harris, Zachary Beeler, Austin Harris, Heather Harris, Brandon Harris, Lacy Griffith, Candice Harris, Kerry Griffith, Victoria Harris, and Gabe Harris; and five great- grandchildren, Lili, Railen, Scialus, Cortez, and Willow. He was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters; three brothers; and one great- grandchild, Isabelle Blakely. Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church of Elston from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2011, and from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 2011. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Elston with the Reverend Kenneth Campbell officiating. Graveside services and entombment with military honors will be held at the Mausoleum of Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children's Hospital, SSM Hospice, or the Missouri Baptist Children's Home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com