Jess Harris Jr.

Jess Harris, Jr. was born on 9-19-1919 in Grainola, OK (Osage County). He always said the best thing about that date was that it was easy to remember.He was the son of Jess and Ruth Harris, brother of Carmen and Imogene. The family lived in Grainola for five years, then moved to Ponca City, OK for one year, and then moved to Holdenville, OK where the family resided for the next 17 years. A lover of sports, while in high school Jess earned letters in football, basketball, and wrestling. After graduation from Holdenville High School, he attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) where he earned his Business Administration degree. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and was Commander his senior year (1941-42), a year that was interrupted when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on 12-7-41. Jess enlisted on 12-9-41 in the Naval Flight Training Program. He was not called for active duty until he completed his degree. He received his wings as a Naval Aviator on 2-26-43 and on 2-28-43 he married his college sweetheart, Mary Jane Hinds.Jess went to Naval Aviator training in Pensacola, FL. While there, he was involved in a mid-air collision and had to bail out of his disabled plane, making him a member of the Caterpillar Club. He was assigned to the aircraft carrier the USS Block Island, which was sent to patrol the European food lines. It was torpedoed and sunk off the Canary Islands on May 29, 1944. It was the only carrier sunk in the Atlantic by a German U-boat during WWII. Jess spent around 4 hours in the water before being rescued and taken to Casablanca. His remaining time spent in the Navy was in Atlantic City, NJ, where he flew a lot of planes, trained landing signal officers, and Jane worked on the Boardwalk. After leaving the Navy, he moved to Cushing, OK and worked for Jane's parents in the shoe business for 7 years. Then on to Oklahoma City to start his career as a landman for his father and his father's partner, Thomas E. Nix. Upon their retirement, Jess formed his own brokerage business, which he continued until his retirement in 1986. He spent his life checking records, buying Oil & Gas Leases for numerous clients and for himself, and training new landmen. There was always work to be done. He still made time to coach his son's baseball team for several years. At the time of his retirement, his son Jay took over the business and is still involved in same. Jess felt very lucky to have worked with his dad and later on his son.His marriage with Jane was a true partnership, through hard times and good times, always working together. They had two children, daughter, Susan Jane and son, Jess (Jay) Harris III. They were blessed with many good friends through the years. Golf was a large part of his life. It was a great way to make friends and just enjoy the outdoors. After retirement, he and Jane spent time in La Quinta, CA, a golfer's paradise, for many years. Jess played until he was 93. Jess always said he had a good life. In 2008, he married Bette Polk, a long time friend of the Harris family. They continued spending winters in La Quinta, CA socializing with friends and playing golf and gin.Jess was a long time member of The United Methodist Church of Nichols Hills, the Oklahoma City Association of Professional Landmen (one time President), charter member of the National Landmen Association (now the American Association of Petroleum Landmen), the Beacon Club (15 year President), the Fortune Club, the Chamber of Commerce, The Committee of One Hundred, La Quinta Country Club, charter member of Quail Creek Golf & Country Club, and his golf group "The Old Farts". According to Jess' books, they still owe him $3.00. He was an avid Oklahoma State University supporter and was proud to be an OSU graduate.He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Jess and Ruth Harris, his sisters Carmen Bartlett and Imogene Heritage, and his wife of over 56 years, Mary Jane Harris.He is survived by his wife, Bette Harris of Oklahoma City, his daughter Susan Reed and husband Brad of Cortez, CO, and his son Jess (Jay) Harris III and wife Stephanie of Oklahoma City; four grandchildren, Lauren Judycki and husband Gavin Lovering, Linton Judycki and his wife Alexandra, Hailey Harris and Jess (Jack) Harris IV; three great grandchildren, Andrew House, Colin House and Atlas Judycki; his nieces Patsy Lawyer, SuZanne McSwain and Pamela Hayes; and other relatives.A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City Association of Professional Landmen, OSU Foundation or a charity of your choice.