OAKLAND, Calif. — Earl Horatius Harris, Jr., of Oakland, Calif., was born in Pine Bluff, on October 12, 1949.His parents, who predeceased him, were Earl Horatius Harris, Sr. and Marian Brooks Harris. The first 12 years of Earl’s life were spent in Fort Smith. After the death of his father, the family moved to Pine Bluff where he became a member of St. John A.M.E. Church. Earl married Jana Griffin and from this union, a son, Jason Earl Harris, was born.
Earl attended Merrill High School, where he joined the marching band and became the drum major. He was also an accomplished clarinet and saxophone player.His love for all types of music continued throughout his life. He also ran track as a high hurdler and sprinter.
Earl attended Arkansas AM&N College (University of Arkansas Pine Bluff) and ultimately received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Chemistry from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.Earl received his Masters of Science Degree in Environmental Management from the Universityof San Francisco in 2007.
Early in his career, Earl was employed by the U.S. Department of Interior, National Parks Service, Grand Canyon as a Water Quality Specialist.He moved to San Francisco in 1985 and was employed as a Contract Environmental Chemist for Anresco Micro Tracers, Inc. Earl began climbing the corporate ladder, working as an Environmental Chemical Analyst in 1986 and in 1996 as a Water Quality Control Manager.
Earl later became an educator.In 1996, he became a physical science teacher for Cesar Chavez Middle School, Hayward, Calif. He later taught Earth Science at Westmont High School, Campbell, Calif. He would also earn his certification to become a track coach with emphasis on hurdles and sprinters. Earl was employed as an assistant coach at California High School in San Ramon, Calif. where his students achieved state and national recognition in hurdling. In addition to his work as an assistant coach, at his passing, Earl was also employed in the Chemistry department at California State University East Bay in Oakland.
Earl is also preceded in death by two brothers, Carl Andrea Harris and Victor Samuel Harris. He is survived by a son, Jason Earl Harris, a brother, Herbert (Sandra) E. Harris, a special uncle, Dr. Herbert C. Harris (Mildred) who became a father figure. His passing is also mourned by many other loving relatives and friends.
A memorial service was held on August 7, 2012 in Oakland at Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church.Arrangements were by Harris Funeral Home.Condolences may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 1052, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71613.