James Wilbur “J.W.” Harris, 84, of Greentop, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri.
The son of the late Ira William and Naomi Crystal (Dickson) Harris, he was born November 23, 1935 in Kirksville, Missouri. On March 27, 1955 in Kirksville, Missouri, J.W. was united in marriage to Judy Bray.
J.W. is survived by his wife Judy of sixty-five years; four sons and daughters-in-law, Bobby and Darlene Harris of Memphis, MO, Rusty and Becky Harris of Kirksville, MO, Lonnie and Tammy Harris of Kirksville, MO, and Laddy and Tammy Harris of Exner, MO; two sisters, Nadine Wells of Ankeny, IA, and Iris Allen of Danville, IN; seven grandchildren, Natasha, Amanda, Justin, Dustin, Austin, Ron, and J.W., as well as nine great-grandchildren, Holly, Justice, Keidyn, Ryker, Stella, Hattie, Isaac, Lucas, and Lexie.
J.W. was preceded in death by his parents; one brother Billy Merl Harris, and his grandson, Clinton James Harris.
J.W. received his education in the Troy Mills grade school and Kirksville High School. He was employed for Baker Sign Company for twenty-eight years and also hauled cattle most of his life.
J.W. resided on the same farm for sixty-one years and enjoyed restoring antique horse drawn machinery, working and training horses, and was a long time livestock hauler for the Kirksville community sale barn a number of years. He also shoed horses and was considered a jack of all trades.
J.W. was a member of Northeast Missouri Pulling Association where he served as President and Board Member and was also a member of the Northeast Missouri Trail Riders where he served as a board member.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2020 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville. Interment will follow the service at Jewel Cemetery, northwest of Kirksville.
Family will receive friends on Friday, November 6, 2020 from noon until service time in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.