Patrick Arthur “Pat” Harris | Obits

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WESTON LAKES, TX-  Patrick Arthur “Pat” Harris, 81, of Weston Lakes, TX, died at this home of natural causes on October 25, 2020. He was born May 31, 1939 to Rachel Teller Harris and Charles “Jack” Harris in Gilmer County, West Virginia. He grew up in Weston, WV, graduated from Weston High School, West Virginia State University (BS) and West Virginia University (MA). He was a retired government employee and small business owner having spent time in the fields of mental health, employment services, and juvenile justice in West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey during his 40+ year career. He was a 12 year veteran of the WV Air National Guard and was extremely proud of his silver wings and his green beret.

Pat was a devoted and proud WVU fan and an unpaid spokesman for the West Virginia Department of Tourism. He never met a stranger. It was not possible to speak with him more than five minutes without hearing about his WV teams and the beauty and majesty of his beloved West Virginia. He returned to the mountains of WV  each summer for lengthy visits and retained many of his WV friendships over the years. He was deeply interested in local and national politics and was a two term elected member of the Weston Lakes property owners association where he strongly advocated for the care and protection of the common lake properties.

Pat was a skilled fisherman and fishing fly tier, and he could spin the tales that accompany such skills. He sold his wares under the name of Pat’s Patterns. He was an officer and advocate for the Trout Unlimited organization where he earned the President’s Award in multiple years. He often taught classes in fly tying and fly fishing and informally taught and mentored many others who remember him fondly.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 54 years, Wilma Stine Harris, brother Thomas Harris, and sister Becky (Mackie) Stout both of Weston, WV, sons Perry Arthur (Robin) Harris of Katy, TX and Terry Allen Harris of Corpus Christi, TX. Two other children, son Tony Kern and Daughter Cassie Kern Newhardt reside in Akron, Ohio. He adored his three grandchildren, Ryan Harris of San Francisco, CA, Jordan Harris (Ross) Hogan of Cypress, TX, and Lauren Harris (Shivan) Pande of Anchorage, AK. The apples of his eye were his two great grandsons, Jack Arthur and James Frank Hogan.

A Memorial Service was held in Texas in November. A second Memorial Service will be held in Weston later this year.

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