Mr. Eldred Harris, 94, of 163 Shadowline Drive, Apartment 112, Boone, died Thursday morning, July 5, 2012, at Watauga Medical Center.

He was born March 19, 1918, in LeFlore County, Oklahoma, to the late Edgar Lindsay and Ida Mae (Gassaway) Harris.

He was married to Carrie Mae Chronister, daughter of L.M. and Eva (Williams) Chronister on May 7, 1941, at Poteau, Oklahoma Mr. Harris was a World War II veteran. He served in Panama Canal Zone, completed Field Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and then served in the Tank Destroyer School at Fort Hood, Texas, and with the 16th Corps Artillery, 9th Army, in France, the Netherlands, and Germany. He rose to the rank of Captain during his time of service. Mr. Harris received his undergraduate degree from Panhandle A & M College, Goodwell, Oklahoma, and did graduate work at Southwestern State University, Weatherford, Oklahoma. He taught History, Science, and Government, briefly, in 1940 at the high school in Custer City, Oklahoma, prior to being called to active duty with the 45th Infantry Division, Oklahoma National Guard. Following his military service he completed a double major Master of Science degree in Agricultural Education and Animal Nutrition at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. He taught high school vocational agriculture for nine years in Nowata, Oklahoma, and for 27 years, until his retirement, in Coffeyville, Kansas. In 1983, he was awarded the Honorary State Farmer Degree by the Kansas State Future Farmers of America Association. He and his wife moved to Watauga County in 1993 to be near his elder son.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carrie, a brother, Edgar Lindsay Harris Jr., and a sister, Jerolyn (Harris) Dawson.

He is survived by two sons, Dr. Timothy B. Harris and wife, Shirley, of Boone, North Carolina and Joel Chronister Harris and wife, Margaret, of Brooklyn, New York; and a daughter, Susan (Harris) Salmans and husband, Terry, of Willard, Missouri. Also surviving are one granddaughter, Carrie Ruth (Harris) Phillips and husband, Scott, of Singapore,;three grandsons, Michael Salmans and wife, Debra, of Willard, Missouri, Brett Harris and wife, Elizabeth, of Leland, Mississippi, and Lion Summerbell, of Brooklyn, New York; and four great-granddaughters, Clara Phillips, Nora Phillips, Zahara Phillips, and Fares Phillips of Singapore.

A Memorial Service for Mr. Eldred Harris will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2012, at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Officiating will be Mr. Brett Harris, Eldred's grandson, and the Rev. Dr. Lynn Stall.

A reception will follow the service in the church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Watauga County Public Library or an organization of the donor's choice.

On-line condolences may be sent to the Harris family at http://www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.