GENE AND OPAL HARRIS

GOLDEN CITY- Services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Lamar First Baptist Church for Kenneth “Gene” Harris, 86, and Opal Pauline Harris, 83, Golden City, who died Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at their home, as a result of the tornado that swept through the Golden City area. Burial was in Lake Cemetery.

Arrangements were under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home, Lamar.

Contributions are suggested and made payable to Ronald McDonald House, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.

Gene and Opal leave behind a son, Rodney Gene Harris, Golden City; two daughters, Linda Sue Edwards, Lockwood and Karen Kay Lawrence and husband John, Lamar; grandchildren, Caleb Harris and wife Leena, Jamie Baker and husband Scot, Eric Walker, Josh Edwards and wife Maria and Kailey Lawrence; great-grandchildren, Calli Harris, Blane Harris, Brody Harris, Ethan Baker, Dawson Baker, Jay Baker, Lakin Baker, Treyton Walker, William Edwards, Christopher Edwards and Joshua Edwards and a foreign exchange student/daughter, Mia Moberg from Sweden.

Additional survivors include Gene’s sister, Dorothy Wirth and husband Wesley, Golden City; Opal’s brothers, Jerry Stump and wife Wanda, Springfield, Glen Stump and wife Connie, Sheldon and Joe Stump, Sheldon; Opal’s sisters, Edna Fite, Jasper, Lois Watson, Neck City, Janie Boehne, Wichita, Kan. and Mary Brake and husband Steve, Billings.

Gene was preceded in death by two brothers, Leland Harris and George Harris and two sisters, Nadine Stansberry and Leta Belle Moore. Opal was preceded in death by a sister, Elsie Ritchie.

Mr. Harris was born Aug. 30, 1932, in Kenoma, to Lester Edward and Ruth Fern (Nall) Harris. He attended schools in Golden City, served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a farmer. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Golden City. He enjoyed golf and loved tending to the purple martins, which he hosted in the 27 martin houses that he had around the farm. He was also known as a bit of an inventor.

Mrs. Harris was born Sept. 1, 1935, in Dadeville, to Jim and Lela (Cowan) Stump. She attended school in Jasper, but with school redistricting she was transferred to Golden City High School in the 12th grade, where she graduated. She was a housewife and enjoyed doing puzzle books, listening to bluegrass and gospel music. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Golden City and was an excellent cook who enjoyed making homemade crescent rolls, Christmas goodies and any new recipes she could find.

They both loved their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly.

On November 20, 1955, Gene and Opal were united in marriage and together they reared three children.