Paul David Harris

Paul David Harris went home to be with Jesus on February 8, 2023 in Mineola Texas. He was 81 years old.

He was born on December 3, 1941 in Fort Wayne, Indiana in his family home. He was born to Conan Deloss Harris

and Berniece Emeline Essig Harris and was the youngest of 4 children. His siblings included Phil Harris, Myrna

(Brown) Harris and Shirley Harris. Myrna and Shirley predeceased him. Paul graduated Hillcrest High School in

Dallas in 1959.

In 1960, Paul enlisted in the Navy. He was 18 years old. He went to boot camp in California and met his first wife

there. He was in the Navy for 2 years and then reserves for 4 years. He was honorably discharged from his service

in 1966. He married Faye Frisbee Harris. They had three sons, Paul David Harris (born 1963, died 6 days later of a

heart condition), Bryan John Harris (died on October 15, 1987) and Michael Jason Harris. They divorced in 1985.

After his divorce, Paul David turned to the Lord. This began a lifelong journey of studying scripture, being part of a

Biblical Community and continuing to play an active role in the life of his son Michael. He met his second wife

(Bobbie Hull Stephens Harris) and they married in 1986. She died of a brain aneurysm in September 1994.

From his youth, Paul David was adventurous. That bold spirit was first expressed in his enlisting in the Navy.

When Michael was a young boy, their family traveled all over the world. Paul wanted to share his curiosity and

sense of adventure with his sons. In his 40s he learned to fly airplanes and discovered an interest in skydiving. He

had well over 400 jumps from perfectly good airplanes. In his later years, he turned his sense of adventure

towards Jesus and the scriptures, choosing to learn Koine Greek so that he could have a better understanding of

the original language God “breathed” His Word into being.

He was an entrepreneur, owning 3 small businesses over his lifetime. In his early 20’s while working for his Uncle

Howard, Paul met Kathy at a local bank. They knew each other for 63 years. Paul David and Katholeen began to

date in 1995. From their very first date, they fell in love and were inseparable. On April 24, 1997, they married in

Sunnyvale, Texas in true western fashion. They have been happily married more than 25 years. For anyone who

spent time with them, it was easy to see that they were very much in love, devoted to one another and to The

Lord.

In 2005 they moved to Mineola, Texas. They built a wonderful life there in their retirement years, having

incredible friendships and an active church community. Paul David was an instigator. He was curious and always

interested in learning more. Those who knew him often have stories of his obnoxious rhetoric followed quickly by

how much they love him. Paul used his awnry personality to pierce into the hearts of others and ingratiate

himself.

He is survived by his beloved wife Katholeen, their son and his wife Michael and Maria Harris, their daughter and

her husband Debbie and Bruce Roberson; their grandsons Bryan Harris, Joshua Harris, Luke Harris and Mark Harris,

granddaughter and her husband Jami and Brent Courtney, and great grandsons Dawson Courtney and Mason

Courtney. He is also survived by his older brother, Phil Harris and his wife Bonnie Mae Harris, their children,

grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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