"font-family:">Howard Earl Harris, 84, beloved husband and father of two sons, passed away Nov. 14, 2011 at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center.
"font-family:">He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Helena Lucretia Harris; sons, Ben Chandler Harris of Anderson, S.C. and Jason Lee Harris of Richmond, Mo.; sister Vera Gould of Traverse City, Mich.; and 11 grandchildren.
"font-family:">Mr. Harris was best known for being an enthusiastic advocate for bicycling, fitness and ballroom dancing. A retired sign painter from Royal Oak, Mich., he urged senior citizens to live life to the fullest. He made many long distance bicycle trips and authored “The Bicycle Tourist.”
"font-family:">He wrote frequent letters to editors of local newspapers and government leaders, urging the construction of bike trails. He enjoyed exploring Baldwin County.
"font-family:">He is greatly missed by his family, and was a real source of inspiration for many people; a real “doer,” not a spectator. In retirement he earned an associate degree at Faulkner State Community College, graduating in its first class in Gulf Shores.
"font-family:">His other interests were history, canoeing, architecture and reading. He was a member of St. Francis Traditional Episcopal Church at Point Clear, where he had sung in the choir. In his teen years he was active in the Salvation Army.
"font-family:">Like a stone is cast into the water, and creates ripples and waves which travel much further than the stone itself, so the influence of Howard Harris created so much in the lives of his family and community.
"font-family:">Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 21, 2011 at Pine Rest Funeral Home, with a visitation from 9 a.m. until time of service. Interment will follow in Pine Rest Memorial Park.
"font-family:">Arrangements by Pine Rest Funeral Home, Foley.
