Huey Harris

    Huey Jefferson Harris, 87, of Lamesa passed away Sunday, February 2, 2020 at his home with family around him.
    Huey was born in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana on March 1, 1932 to parents George Ray Harris and Mamie Lee Harris.  He and his family moved to Lamesa when he was 10 years old.  Huey attended O’Donnell school through the 7th grade.
    In 1948, at the age of 16, Huey joined the U.S. Army where he served in the Korean War, was taken as a POW for 2 1/2 years, and later received an Honorable Discharge in 1953.  
    With his G.I. Bill benefits, he earned his high school diploma in El Paso, TX and later attended a business college in Lubbock.
    Huey married Charlene Hutchings in September of 1953, and from 1953-1961 they lived in Dallas, El Paso, Artesia, N.M., Houston, and Grants Pass, Oregon and settled in Lamesa.
    Their greatest blessing was the birth of their only child in 1956, a daughter, Valena Harris.
    Huey held several jobs over the years, from house painting, Oak Farms Milk and Ice Cream truck, jukebox business, and had his own pest control business, but his longest career was with the Texas Highway Dept. from 1961 to 1989, where he held the position of Assistant Maintenance Foreman.  He also served on the Board of Directors of the T.P.E.A (Texas Public Employees Association).
    Huey was a member of Sunset Baptist Church where he served as Joint Pastor.  He loved his church and serving the Lord through preaching, singing and ministry.
    His extracurricular activities he loved included golf, shooting pool, and bowling on leagues for over 30 years.
    He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father Dennie Gober; sisters, Faye Harris-Koonce-Drennan and husband Bill Drennan, Nadine Harris-Todd and husband Johnny Todd; daughter Valena Harris-Holmes; father-in-law and mother-in-law Charlie and Iris Hutchings; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Neil and Joy Hutchings.
    Huey is survived by his wife of 66 years, Charlene Hutchings Harris; granddaughter, Naomi Holmes Martinez and husband Jason Martinez; grandson Caleb Holmes of Lamesa; six great-grandchildren, Evan Martinez, stationed in Japan, Kiaunah Martinez Jenks and husband Ian Jenks, Aisia Holmes, Briana Holmes, Cassidy Holmes and Colby Holmes, all of Lamesa; three great-great-grandchildren, Mason Morales, Kannon Morales, and Lilah Jenks.
    Also: two nephews, Johnny Ray Todd and wife Julie of Lamesa, Gerald Ray Koonce and wife Diann of Hogeye, Arkansas; sister-in-law Ladonna Hutchings Holloway and husband Gene of Hope, Arkansas; many nieces and nephews by marriage, and a host of friends.
    There will be no visitation or funeral services planned at this time.  Huey’s plans that were made long ago were carried out this week to donate his body to the Texas Tech University Willed Body Program.  A memorial service celebrating his life will take place at a later date.
    In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to any of these charities: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Wounded Warrior Project.
– Press-Reporter obituary services