Dr. Judson B. Harris

Dr. Judson Harris, Jr. passed away May 29, 2010 after a brief illness at the University of Virginia Medical Center. He was on vacation visiting relatives in his home town of Radford, VA. Harris was born July 15, 1930 in Grundy, VA. He was raised in Radford, VA. After completing high school he attended Milligan College in Tennessee where he received a AB in Health & Physical Education in 1952. He also minored in English and Biology. Harris served in the U.S. Army where he was an instructor from 1952 to 1954. He received a Master of Science degree from University on Tennessee in 1955 in Physical Education and Recreation with a minor in Education Administration and Supervision. Harris taught at East Coweta High School from 1956-1961 where he was also Director of Physical Education and the head basketball and baseball coach. During this time he also was an Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Coweta County Public Schools. After receiving his PH. D in Physical Education with a minor in Counseling /Guidance from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, he was Director of Physical Educations and Athletics at LaGrange College in LaGrange, GA. Harris then spent two years as Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Health and Physical Education at Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, LA. In 1967 he became the Director of Athletics at Jacksonville University. He was also a Professor and Director of Physical Education. While he was Director of Athletics the basketball team reached the NCAA Championship game in 1970. Harris was also a founding member of the Sun Belt conference. In 1981 Harris stepped down as Athletic Director but continued as a Senior Professor and Chairman of the Department of Physical Education. When he would reflect on his career he was most proud of his interactions with the athletes and students. Harris was a lifetime member of the National Education Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Dr. Harris is preceded in death by his wife, Jeannette Odom Harris and sister, Betty Jane Johnson. He is survived by his son, Greg Harris and daughter, Jennifer Perry (Paul); his two grandchildren, Lindsey and Cole Perry all of Jacksonville, FL. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Harris (Virginia) and close friend Sandi Branum and a large extended family which includes 7 sisters in law and 6 brothers in law as well as many nieces and nephews. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.mckoon.com A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at Turin Baptist Church in Turin, GA. Interment will follow in Turin Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 4, 2010 at McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson St., Newnan, GA from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Pallbearers will be Joe Christopher, John Christopher, Frank Christopher, Dean Adamson, Preston Odom, Matt Odom and Ray Christian. Honorary Pallbearers will be, Frank Odom, Harry Odom, William Odom, Dan Odom, Roy Odom, Billy Christopher, Joe Crane, Freddy Christopher, Edwin Parrott and Blake Adcock. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June12, 2010 at Jacksonville University in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Judson Harris Endowed Scholarship, Jacksonville University, Office of Institutional Advancement, 2800 University Blvd., Jacksonville, FL. 32211. McKoon Funeral Home 770-253-4580

Dr. Judson B. Harris

July 15, 1930 - May 29, 2010