Jerry Thomas Harris was born in Oxford, Mississippi on January 13, 1952. Jerry died peacefully, at home on May 16, 2020. He was the son of the late James E. (Sam) Harris and Daisy Hellums Harris. He is survived by his brother, Sammy (Sharon) Harris of Poagville, MS; sister, Virginia (Tom) Tribble of Senatobia, MS; brother, Arthur Harris of Oxford, MS and brother, Mike (Beth) Harris of Oxford, MS.
Jerry served in the Air Force, leaving the service as a Sergeant before finishing his degree in Art at the University of Mississippi. He obtained his Masters of Art Education from New Mexico University and his Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Mississippi. He taught as a high school art teacher at Coldwater, MS High School and Grenada, MS High School before joining the staff at Holmes Community College in Goodman, MS.
In a news article written by LaJuan Tallo, “He has lived his life using his God-given talents as an artist and a teacher in a multitude of ways, each leaving a mark on our society and making it a better place to be. He is a quiet man who hesitates to talk about himself, but when he does, what you learn is amazing.”
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Holmes Community College Development Foundation, Art Department in memory of Jerry Harris, P. O. Box 527, Goodman, MS 39079.
