Donald Ray Harris was born March 31, 1942, in McAdoo, Texas, to Fay and Charlie Harris, and passed away on March 13, 2026, at the age of 83.
He graduated from McAdoo High School in 1960. He was a member of the state basketball championship in that same year. He married Rita Ann VanMeter, his high school sweetheart, on January 21, 1961, in McAdoo, Texas. He was a kind, hard-working family-loving man, always wearing jeans, a denim shirt and his cowboy hat and boots. On Sundays he wore a suit. He was a man that loved the Lord, and we will see him again someday. He always said he was just a cotton farmer, but he loved his cows too.
During those years, he started a family with four sons, Robby, Lance, Chuck and Shad.
He was a member of first Baptist Church of McAdoo for several years and then a member of First Baptist Church of Spur, where he was a teacher and faithful servant as a deacon in both churches. He served as school board president in two different schools. He served his community in many other functions.
He was preceded in death by both his parents, two brothers and two sisters.
He is survived today by his wife of 65 years, Rita, of McAdoo; four sons: Robby and wife, Jeannie, of Aspermont; Lance and wife, Amy, of Spur; Chuck of McAdoo; and Shad of Spur; also by 21 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. They were his pride and joy.
He was also survived by two sisters, Wilma Ward and Tommie Davis.
A special thanks goes to Hospice of the South Plains and to the staff at Kent County Care Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Texas Girls & Boys Ranch of Lubbock or to your favorite charity.
