Charles Archer Harris, 76, a longtime resident of San Marcos died on Monday, March 28, 2011. He was born January 23, 1935, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He moved with his parents to San Marcos in 1948. He graduated from San Marcos High School in 1953, the University of Texas at Austin in 1957 and later from SWT with a degree in Computer Science. After graduation, Charles joined his parents in Bangkok, Thailand and taught physics at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok in the late 1950s. After returning, he worked in Austin and San Marcos and for the Gary Job Corps in San Marcos from 1982-2000 as an Educational Programmer until his retirement.
Charles was always a voracious reader and his passion for books led him to start an on-line book store after retirement. In addition to his on-line book store, he enjoyed researching and finding rare and out-of-print books for friends. Charles never missed a library book sale and always enjoyed going to his favorite Half Price Books store.
He loved his First Presbyterian Church family and over the past two years, he enjoyed visits from the Sunshine Ladies. Charles was a gentle giant with a big heart. He was well known for being a kind and gracious man. His sensitivity extended not only to people but the animal world as well and he was known for his great love of Daschunds and the many feral cats that found his door.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Douglas and Henrietta Braker Harris. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary; two sons, Robert Harris, and Wendell Price and wife, Vicki; brother, Fraser Harris and wife, Linda of Buda; sister, Heather Harris Loyo and husband, Jose Luis Loyo; and two grandchildren, Fallon and Hunter Price; nieces and nephews, Lisa Harris, Steve Harris, Karina Loyo Waters and husband, Steve, Jose Luis Loyo, Jennifer Loyo Hernandez and husband, Carlos, Douglas Loyo and wife, Anahi.
A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, April 7, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in San Marcos. Memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 410 W. Hutchison St., San Marcos, TX 78666 or to CTMC Hospice, 1315 IH-35N, San Marcos, TX 78666.
