"font-family:">Maj. Richard Ivey “Dick” Harris, U.S. Air Force Reserve (Ret.), who was born April 4, 1950, died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011 while a patient at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. He was surrounded by his wife, Heidi; and daughters, Marne French and Kathryn Harris at the time of his death.
"font-family:">Richard suffered from acute myeloid leukemia for the past year, and had moved to Houston to be near M.D. Anderson for cancer treatment.
"font-family:">Richard, a Hamilton, Ala. native, was born in Russellville, Ala., and attended school in Hamilton, graduating from Hamilton High School.
"font-family:">He received his B.A. degree in chemistry from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., where he received his commission in the U.S. Air Force in 1972. His active duty service was spent at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, where he was a launch officer for the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program assigned to the Strategic Air Command’s 44th Strategic Missile Wing.
"font-family:">Following his release from active duty, he entered the Air Force Reserve as an intelligence officer assigned to the Air Force Intelligence Reserve program, participating on a regular basis until his retirement.
"font-family:">Upon returning to civilian life, he attended Jeff State and received an A.A.S. degree in financial management in 1978. He continued his education at the University of Alabama, receiving a M.S. in mineral engineering in 1981.
"font-family:">Following his service as a phosphates mining engineer in central Florida, he returned to the University of Alabama for graduate work in environmental engineering. In 1991 he received a master’s degree in environmental engineering, and pursued additional post-graduate studies in environmental engineering.
"font-family:">After leaving the University of Alabama, he began a Civil Service career, working both for the U.S. Air Force at Eglin AFB, Fla. and Maxwell AFB, Ala., as well as the Federal Aviation Administration in Montgomery and Mobile.
"font-family:">In addition to his Civil Service career, Richard was president of Harris Environmental Inc., an environmental consulting and training firm. In his capacity as a trainer, he also served as an adjunct professor for several online colleges and universities providing environmental engineering related courses.
"font-family:">Richard was a member of the Masonic orders and the Shriners, as well as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE).
"font-family:">He is survived by his wife, Heidi K. Harris; two daughters, Marjorie H. French and Kathryn F. Harris, both of Tuscaloosa; one stepson, Dylan S. Newell of Magnolia, Ohio; one son-in-law, Jake D. French of Tuscaloosa; and two brothers, William M. Harris III of Roxboro, N.C. and Michael F. Harris of Lorton, Va.
"font-family:">An avid pet lover, he also leaves one dog and several cats.
"font-family:">Interment will be in the family plot, Brownwood Cemetery, Sandersville, Ga. on Dec. 28, 2011.
"font-family:">In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 310, White Plains, NY 10605. Donations may also be made to the First Christian Church 166 E. Church St., Sandersville, GA 31082. (This church was founded by Thomas Marcus Harris, Richard’s great-great-grandfather.)
"font-family:">Arrangements by May & Smith Funeral Directors, Sandersville, Ga.
