Obituary of David Harris

David Andrew Harris, Jr. (Dave) Dave Harris of Charlotte died Tuesday, July 13. He fought his battle with cancer and its complications with the same optimism, courage and determination to win that he used in all areas of his life. A service to celebrate the life of Dave Harris will be held at the First Baptist Church Charlotte, 301 South Davidson Street, on Friday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Mark Harris and Reverend Michael Cummings officiating. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. The burial will be private. Dave was born in Trap Hill, N. C. on July 19, 1924. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, teacher, coach, administrator, friend, athlete and mentor. His family was his greatest joy. He took tremendous pride in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed keeping up with his former athletes and students. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Mary Arden Harris; his daughter, Arden Browder and husband Ty; his son, Andy Harris and wife Sherry; his grandchildren: Liz Carroll and husband Robby, Leigh Arden Beck and husband Joey, Charlotte Harris, and Christine Harris; his great grandchildren: Burton Carroll and Harris Carroll; his step grandchildren: Chad Browder, Klista Browder and Valerie Wooten; and his step great grandchildren: Zach Wooten, Hunter Wooten and Trey Wooten. In addition to his parents, David and Sallie Harris, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Sarah Bass and Kathleen Harris. For more than 60 years, he was an active member of First Baptist Church Charlotte where he had been an ordained deacon and served on numerous committees. He was a member of the Smith Alexander Men?s Sunday School Class where special life-long friendships were formed. He grew up in Statesville and graduated from Statesville High School where he was an all-state and all-conference football player. He attended Wake Forest on a football scholarship and played football under Peahead Walker and basketball under Murray Greason. He played for Wake Forest in the first Gator Bowl. He was named to the All-Southern Conference team, to the first team AP All-America Blocking Team and was an honorable mention AP All-American. Dave graduated from Wake Forest and earned a BS degree. He later received a master?s degree from Appalachian State University. He was the third draft choice for the Detroit Lions in 1946 and was a starter for the Charlotte Clippers Professional Football Team for two years. Dave?s career of 45 years in education began as a teacher, coach and athletic director at Thomasboro High School and continued at Harding High School for the next 20 years. His Harding coaching years included 35 consecutive football wins and back to back football state championships. Harris coached eight high school All-Americans and 73 of his players received full college football scholarships. For the next 24 years, he worked in athletic administration as the Charlotte- Mecklenburg School System Director of Athletics. During that time, many components of the school system athletic program were nationally recognized. He was instrumental in adding girls sports in the schools, in beginning a sports medicine program in the school system and in expanding athletic facilities. His volunteer service to local, state and national organizations included membership on the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs Council, the Governor?s Board of Athletes Against Crime, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors and the National Federation of High School Directors of Athletics Advisory Board. He was a past president of the Optimist Club, the Lions Club, the NC Coaches Association and the NC Athletic Directors Association. He served for 40 years in different capacities for the Shrine Bowl. He was honored by being named the Honorary Chairman of the 50th High School Shrine Bowl All-Star Game. He was a long time member of the North Carolina Association of Educators. He received the American National Red Cross Certificate of Merit in recognition of saving a child's life. In recognition of his community service, Dave received the Optimist Golden Circle Award, the Charlotte Rotary Club Public Service Award and the Charlotte Athletic Club Humanitarian Award. Among his sports honors were head coach in the East-West All-Star Football Game and North Carolina head coach and Athletic Director of the Shrine Bowl. He was twice named North Carolina High School Football Coach of the Year and was also named National High School Athletic Director of the Year, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Sportsman of the Year and North Carolina Athletic Director of the Year. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association named him North Carolina Athletic Director of the Century. He was recognized by NCHSAA as one of the 50 most influential people in making a difference in high school sports in North Carolina during the 20th century and as the People?s Choice Award for Athletic Director. He was selected Wake Forest Deacon Club Member of the Year in 1997 and served as Chairman of the Wake Forest Touchdown 2000 campaign that resulted in the construction of Bridger Field House. Dave was inducted into four halls of fame: North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame, NC High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and NC Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame. After his retirement, Dave enjoyed traveling with Mary Arden, going to the beach and staying at their mountain home in High Meadows. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed attending their activities. He looked forward to seeing and hearing from his former players and to eating lunch with his friends in the Five Plus One Lunch Group. He continued his volunteer work with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Retired School Personnel. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Smith Alexander Men?s Sunday School Class and members of the Five Plus One Lunch Group. It is the wish of the family that former players, cheerleaders, team managers and assistant coaches of Coach Harris sit in a reserved section at the celebration of life service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church Charlotte, Phil Hughston Scholarship Fund, 301 South Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28231; to North Carolina High School Athletic Association Endowment Foundation, PO Box 3216, Chapel Hill, NC 27515; to Shriner?s Hospitals for Children, 950 West Faris Rd., Greenville, South Carolina 29605; or to David A. Harris, Jr. Athletic Endowment Fund, Wake Forest University Athletic Department, 499 Deacon Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27105 The family extends grateful appreciation to Dr. Murray Craven, Dr. Vetta Higgs, Dr. Cheryl Russo and Dr. Carl Smart for the special medical care given to Dave during his illness.