Calvin Ernest Harris, 78, son of Thurman and Florence Harris, was born May 27, 1929, near Houston. He died Feb. 4, 2008, at The Life Care Center at Waynesville.
He grew up at Houston and graduated from Houston High School in 1947. He attended the University of Missouri, where he received a degree in general agriculture in 1951.
He married Rose Mary Jennings Jan. 29, 1949. They celebrated their 59th anniversary last week.
After graduation from college, he entered the U.S. Air Force, serving in Germany during the Korean War. He was discharged from active duty in 1953 but remained in the Air Force Reserves until 1963. He retired as a major.
In 1956, he became a member of the United Methodist Church.
During his adult life, he was active in the agriculture community, working as a balanced farming agent for the University of Missouri Agriculture Extension Service in Audrain and Laclede counties.
After his transfer to Lebanon, he was instrumental in helping establish and promote the feeder pig industry in southern Missouri. He began his own feeder pig operation. The Harris farm became a popular tour site for farmers and agriculture leaders around the U.S. and several foreign countries.
Mr. Harris was active in local, state and national pork producer organizations. He was elected vice president and president of the Missouri Pork Producers and served on several committees at the state and national levels.
In 1990, he earned a dual degree in computer science and business administration from Columbia College.
After his retirement, he was a volunteer for the Laclede Literacy Council, teaching adults to read. He became an avid gardener and was a stickler for straight and weedless rows.
He enjoyed the monthly luncheons with his fellow 1947 high school classmates.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Franklin.
Surviving are his wife of the home at Lebanon; four children, Rebecca Lynn West of Holt, Robin Ann Bagby of San Antonio, Texas, John David Harris of Aurora and Kathryn Sue Kline of Little Rock, Ark.; two sisters, Lavon Hollenbeck of Gresham, Ore., and Mamie Johnson of Geneva, Fla.; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial services are 2 o’clock Friday at the Evans Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Greg Olsen officiating. Burial is in the Allen Cemetery.
Visitation is 1 to 2 o’clock at the Evans chapel before the services.
