Ernest Wesley Harris

FARMINGTON Earnest Wesley Harris of Farmington passed away Sunday, August 28, 2016 at St. Joe Manor in Bonne Terre at the age of 89 years. He was born on May 17, 1927 at Bonne Terre son of the late George Gentry and Grace Susan (Pigg) Harris. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Lucille (Welch) Harris, three brothers Paul Helms, Eddie Helms, and Roy Harris, three sisters Elsie Stange, Nellie Rodgers, and Emma Johnson, and a dear niece Janice Helms.

Mr. Harris began his career in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 when he enlisted during World War II with his mother's permission. He trained at Jefferson Barracks and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In October of 1945 the government transferred him from the Army to the Navy and he went to Camp Pendleton at San Diego, California and later Treasure Island at San Francisco to complete his naval training before boarding the USS Warden to head into the Pacific for his first duty assignment. He was honorably discharged and transfer to the Naval Reserves in 1946. On April 28, 1947 he was married to Dorothy Lucille Welch but shortly there after in 1948 he once again was called to serve and reenlisted in the Navy and served his country during the Korean War and beyond. In 1958 he was once again honorably discharged from the Navy. Following his military service Ernie began a career with the Missouri-Pacific Rail Road working in the rail yard maintenance shops as a welder and continued until retirement. He was a member of American Legion Post 416 and VFW Post 5896 of Farmington. For many years he attended the Three Rivers Baptist Church near his home. Ernie was a very caring person and anyone who came to know him also became his friend. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him including his nephew and close companion Karl Helms of Desloge, his dear friend Tom Sloan of Farmington, numerous other extended relatives, and a great host of friends and neighbors.

Friends may call at the Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A joint American Legion and VFW service will be held at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume on Thursday morning beginning at 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. followed by a funeral service in the Cozean Chapel at 10 a.m. with the Reverend Gene Rauls officiating assisted by the Reverend David Wright. Interment services with full military honors will be at the Three Rivers Cemetery Cemetery near Farmington. Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to Camp Hope for Veterans. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory. Share your memories and leave condolences online at cozeanfuneralhome.com.

Visitation

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions American Legion & VFW Service

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Interment Service

Three Rivers Cemetery

Thursday, September 1, 2016 Near Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Visitation

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Thursday, September 1, 2016 07:00 AM - 10:00 AM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Funeral Service

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Thursday, September 1, 2016 10:00 AM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions