James J.P. Harris III
James P. Harris III passed away peacefully on April 5, 2023 in Houston, TX. J.P. was born on March 26, 1932 to James P. Harris, Jr. and Alice Slaughter Harris in Tuleta (Bee County), TX. The family moved to Beeville in 1936, where he graduated from A.C. Jones High School in 1949, having served as Sr. Class President. He attended Tarleton State Jr. College in Stephenville, TX for two years. He received a BBA and U.S. Army ROTC Commission from Texas A&M College in 1954.
J.P. entered military service in June 1955 as a second lieutenant in the Army Ordnance Corps at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD. and was then assigned to the Army Missile Command in Huntsville, AL as a Procurement & Production Officer. He remained there as a civilian employee until 1962. In March 1962, J.P. joined the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center (currently Johnson Space Center) in Houston, TX as a Procurement Analyst. He advanced through a number of positions during his career, retiring in January, 1994 as Deputy Director of Procurement.
Besides his parents, J.P. is predeceased by his high-school sweetheart/first wife Dorthy Estelle Hamm Harris and sister Hazel Taylor. Surviving to cherish his memory are: current wife, Nila Faye Garner Harris; son, Ron Harris (Judy), daughter, Cindy Offermann (Doug), daughter, Janet Kloves (Paul); ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of the customary remembrances, and for those desiring, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to the First Baptist Church – Pasadena, 7500 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena, TX 77505.
Please visit J.P.’s online memorial tribute where fond memories and words of comfort may be shared with his family.
On Friday, April 14, 2023 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm J.P.’s family will greet guests at Crowder Funeral Home, Webster, TX. The Funeral Service will follow on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 10:00 am at Clear Lake Baptist Church, 15700 Space Center Blvd., Houston, TX 77062.
Janet, Cindy, Ron and Family, Mr Harris was one of my biggest supporters all my life! I loved him so much! He called me Mookey and always had a smile! At church he supported all our youth stuff and most everything else going on there. I feel so honored to have been a small part of his life!
Love to you all, Lee Ann Holland Chapman
Sending love and prayers to all of his close family members. He was a great step-grandfather to me and my brother.
My deepest sympathy to all.. J.P. was a fine man w integrity and a man of much knowledge whom represented the Body of Christ with his dedication. He will be missed by many..
Cindy, Ron and Janet – My sincere condolences at the loss of your father. I have such fond memories of both of your parents from growing up at CLBC. May you all find peace and comfort that he is no longer suffering. Lifting the Harris family and friends up in prayer.
My condolences to the entire family. JP and I worked together at NASA for over 20 years. I choose him to be my Deputy in the early 1970s when I became Directer of Procurement. We worked to together until I retired in 1989. We knew and enjoyed each others family . We visited and called each other during our retirement years. I am so glad that I was able to talk to him briefly on his last birthday.
We send our sincere condolences to J.P.’s family and friends. He was my Aunt’s Father-In-Law and we enjoyed numerous family events with him. He was a kind man and I know he will be deeply missed. I pray that his memory brings joy to you all. In lieu of flowers, we have made a donation to his church. Blessings, April January-Cox, Joanne January and Deborah January-Bevers
Thank y’all so much! ❤️
I always had great respect for JP Harris and his fair administration of duties as contact management decisions.
I first met J P when I was about 8 years old or so. As the newly married husband to Aunt Estelle, he was my new Uncle. He was recently graduated from A&M and soon he would be entering the Army as an officer. I was over-awed. He was quiet, soft-spoken, and well-mannered, but a wry sense of humor crept through at times. And he was smart. It seemed that if anyone could go out and conquer the world, he’d be the one. Our ways parted, but we never completely lost touch. He remained impressive and never disappointed me. I see from his obit and other comments that he lived a greatly successful life, and that his greatest success was remaining ever faithful to Christ, family and country. What a privilege to know him!