JOHNNIE RAY HARRIS

“The memorial service for Johnnie Harris will be live streamed here.”

Johnnie Ray Harris, born October 20th, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois, preceded in death by his parents, General & Mary Louise Harris, and his brother, Curtis, was the second of six siblings-- the first born son, little brother only to his older sister, Mary. In such a context with little personal space, it's a wonder he fell into playing drums throughout his life, tearin' up his mama's pots from the age of four onward, finding the rhythm in his life that would carry him throughout it. Johnnie accepted Jesus Christ as his savior at a young age and lived by the principal to love everyone. Johnnie married the love of his life, Marian, on September 21, 1996 and they believed it was their mission in life to be a testimony to others of God's enduring love.

Johnnie was a hard-working man, beloved wherever he was for the openness of his heart and the kindness he exuded everywhere-- at work, out and about, in church, in the echoed faces of every smiling baby in a grocery store. He served 14 years in the US Army, primarily as a mechanic, and those same notions of looking out for one another and getting a job done right stayed with him throughout his life. That aura of amiability followed him to all his workplaces, amongst them, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Clark Atlanta University, and the University of Texas at San Antonio where he spent his last 12 working years before retiring.

Everywhere he went he put things in place and made sure they worked right, the way God intended, no matter if that meant some place's facility or somebody's mood. There was a peace he kept about him in the beat he maintained, in tune with the Holy Spirit residing within him and spreading it wherever he went.

Johnnie Ray is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Marian; his son & daughter, Anthony & Chenoa; grandchildren, Omari and Khalil; sister Mary; brothers Rodney, Donnell, & Lamont; nieces & nephews, brothers & sisters-in-law, friends, colleagues, co-workers, loved ones, and every good beat one feels compelled to pound on a steering wheel.

His memorial service will be held at the UTSA Student Union, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 on Thursday, August 11th from 11am-2pm. If you feel so moved to send flowers or expressions of sympathy, please address them to Marian Harris or Chenoa Dean at the UTSA Student Union, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249. 

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