James C. Harris Jr.

SIOUX CITY -- James C. Harris, 92, of Keokuk, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City, passed away Sept. 20, 2009, of natural causes.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Central Baptist Church, 4001 Indian Hills Drive, Sioux City. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel.

Jim was born March 13, 1917, in Memphis, Tenn., to James C. and Jewell (Ray) Harris Sr. He lived in Memphis until attending college in Mississippi. Following his college graduation, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in the South Pacific during World War II.

Jim was stationed for three weeks at the Sioux City Air Base. It was during those few weeks that he met Ardith Hart of Sioux City. They married at the end of World War II and were married for 58 years until her death in 2003.

Jim was employed by schools in Dana and Lone Rock, Iowa, before becoming superintendent of schools in Sergeant Bluff. He later was principal of Franklin and McKinley Schools in Sioux City. His final job until retirement was federal funds director for the Woodbury County Board of Education. He also stayed in the Air Force Reserves and retired as a lieutenant colonel.

Jim and Ardith were members of Central Baptist Church in Sioux City for more than 50 years. Jim served as a deacon, a youth director and a Bible teacher. He also was a radio Bible teacher at KTFC for a number of years.

Jim is survived by his three children, Judy (Hector) Lanza of San Diego, Calif., Carolyn Shaw of San Francisco, Calif., and Dr. Ted (Teresa) Harris of Keokuk, Iowa; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Dave (Betty Jane) Ray of Atlanta, Ga.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.