G. Ray Harris

Spartanburg, SC- G. Ray Harris of 220 Bentway Lane, age 87, died on January 29, 2014, at his home, after a brief illness. Mr. Harris, son of the late Blanche Baker Harris Keller and Ray V. Harris, was born June 5, 1926 at Midland, NC. He was a 1943 graduate of Spartanburg High School, received a B.S. degree from Georgia Tech in 1946, an M.A. in economics from the University of South Carolina in 1949, and a Juris Doctor degree, also from USC, in 1978. He also attended Emory University and Wofford College. During his high school years he was a member of the band, American Legion Drum and Bugle Corp and the Spartanburg Junior Civic Band, traveling to numerous destinations including New York, Boston, and Milwaukee. He was a member of the concert and marching band at Georgia Tech and a member of Delta Tau Delta social fraternity and Kappa Kappa Psi, honorary band fraternity. At USC Law School he was a three year member of The Order of the Wig and Robe, honorary academic society for the top 10% in grade point ratio. He served for three years in the United States Navy during World War II, with an additional several years in the Naval Reserve, being first affiliated with Surface Unit 6-10 in Spartanburg and subsequently as the founding commanding officer of the Greenwood, SC Volunteer Reserve Unit. His professional experience included a year with the Citizens & Southern National Bank, a year of teaching at Fairforest High School (now Dorman), three years as Business Manager and Professor of Economics at Lander University, two years with Derrick, Stubbs & Stith, CPA's of Columbia, 25 years of practice as a CPA, and 20 years as a lawyer. He was the founding partner of Harris, Swaim, Brown & Elliott, CPA's and Harris and Harris, CPA's, in which he practiced as a CPA and attorney at law simultaneously. He was also a principal in various business ventures in real estate development and coal mining and marketing. He was a founding member of St. Matthews Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and in the choir for many years. He partnered with John E. Oehmig in building and operating the world's largest truck stop at the Duncan-Moore exit of Interstate 85 (now Truckstops of America). Mr. Harris served for 5 years as counselor and athletic instructor at Camp Pinnacle in Hendersonville NC. He formerly played basketball in the textile league at Drayton Mills in Spartanburg. Mr. Harris is survived by his wife, Karen Parker Harris; daughters, Robin H. Billet (Dave) and T. Christy Harris of Atlanta, GA, Nicole H. Jackson (Kevin) of Landrum; sons Raymond A. Harris (Monique) of Greenville, and William R. Harris of Asheville; step daughters, Jenni Elizabeth Smith (Bill) of Gilbert, and Amanda Norman Bogan of the Home; and fourteen grandchildren: Grayson, Peyton, Lorraine, Lillian, Anna, Melissa, Shannon, Max, Raylen, Wyatt, Andy, Ellie, Sarah Kaylie, and Ashlynn. He was predeceased by three sisters; and a daughter, Anna Converse Harris, an accomplished pianist, who in 1967 was selected as guest soloist with the Spartanburg Symphony at their annual spring concert. Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 2, 2014, 3:00pm at Morningside Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Kirk Neely officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at Morningside Baptist church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Morningside Baptist Church Building Fund, 897 S. Pine St, Spartanburg, SC 29302. The family will be at the home at 220 Bentway Lane in Spartanburg.