Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Dr. Barney Harris

Dr. Barney Harris of Gainesville, Fla., Professor Emeritus of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, died May 7, 2007, after losing a long battle with cancer.

Dr. Harris was born Dec. 20, 1931, in Prescott. He received his bachelor of science degree from Oklahoma State University, his masters degree from LSU and his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. He taught two years at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and served two years in the Army, stationed at San Diego, Calif.

He moved to Gainesville in 1963, accepting a position at the University of Florida as Extension Dairy Nutritionist at IFAS. He was a member of numerous professional honor societies and received many prestigious awards before retiring in 1994. After retirement, he became a private consultant with several companies and continued to work with Floridas dairy industry.

Dr. Harris was a member of Westside Baptist Church where he served as deacon, usher captain and adult Sunday school teacher. He was also a member of University City Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, bowling and was a loyal Gator fan.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, William Barney and Mary Harris and four siblings, Carter Harris, Will Harris, Ike Harris of Prescott and Mae Graham of Farmington, N.M.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Marylee Johnson Harris; his son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Larissa Harris of Jacksonville, Fla.; his son, Alan Harris of Orlando, Fla.; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Kenneth Allen of Gainesville, Fla., three sister, Shelby Avery of Arkadelphia, Florence Cornelius of Prescott and Carolyn Cummings of Sheridan; and nine nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be Wednesday, May 9, from 5-7 p.m. at Milam Funeral and Cremation Services. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 10, at 2:30 p.m. Interment was in Forest Meadows East. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Harris name may be made to: The American Cancer Society, 2121 SW 16th St., Gainesville, Fla. 32608 and/or the building fund of Westside Baptist Church, 10000 Newberry Road, Gainesville, Fla. 32606.