Edward Semler Harris

TULSA, Okla. - Edward Semler Harris, age 74, formerly of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, November 5, 2015, at Tulsa Jewish Retirement and Health Care Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Born November 24, 1940, in Richmond, Indiana, to Edward Henry Harris Jr. and Evelyn Jane Semler Harris, Ed lived most of his life in Richmond. He was a 1959 graduate of Richmond High School and a 1964 graduate of Butler University. Ed completed additional graduate studies at Miami University in Ohio. He was president of Harris Harper Counsel, Inc., an investment advisor, former editor and publisher of the Palladium-Item from 1969-1976, and former news reporter of the Palladium-Item from 1964-1969. Ed was a member of RiverOaks Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. When living in St. Louis, Missouri, he was a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) since 1998. Ed was a trustee of Covenant Theological Seminary, which is the national seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America, and a member of its Advisory Board since 1987. He was an advisory board member of Ebenezer Trust, board member of the Presbyterian Church in America Historical Center, and director of the Harris Harper Family Foundation. He was a former ruling elder of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Plano, Texas, and Christ Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Indiana. In Richmond, Ed was a former board member of Earlham Cemetery, Community Christian School, and the Wayne County Historical Society. He was active in various committees of the Presbyterian Churches of America (PCA), and involved in church planting, Reformed University Fellowship Campus Ministries, and the PCA Foundation. Ed was a life-long learner, interested in people, places, and things. He traveled the world with friends and family. He loved playing and watching golf until his eyesight diminished due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. Using some of the latest technology, he continued working until his recent illness even though 'completely dark', as he would say, from total blindness. He greatly enjoyed listening to C-SPAN Booknotes every weekend. He could converse on almost any topic at length and pepper his listener with questions. His humor, wise counsel, and absolute confidence in God will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Survivors include his wife, Susan DeAnn (Woodard) Harris, to whom he was married on May 12, 1990; children, Lacee Eowyn (Paul) Marino of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Daniel Joseph (Elizabeth) Burke of St. Louis, Missouri, Jonathan David Burke of St. Louis, Missouri, and Judson Taylor Burke of Arizona; seven grandchildren, Norah Elise Burke, Emmett Charles Burke, Samuel Edward Burke, Nicholas David Burke, Nolan Benjamin Marino, Leah Rose Marino, and Carson Daniel Marino; sister, Becky Harper of Richmond, Indiana; brother, Mark Withrow (Judy) Harris of Richmond, Indiana; niece, Jennifer (Paul) Bonewitz of Roanoke, Indiana; nephews, Chris (Stephanie) Harper of Rochester, Minnesota, Corey (Mary Beth) Harper of Fishers, Indiana, Kevin (Julia) Harris of Jupiter, Florida, and Chad (Krista) Harris of Richmond, Indiana; seven grandnieces; seven grandnephews; six cousins; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-son, Jeremi Todd Burke; and brother-in-law, David Harper. Visitation for Edward Semler Harris will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2015, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond, IN. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2015, at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1004 North A Street in Richmond with Rev. Chris Harper and Rev. Kevin Harris officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: RiverOaks Presbyterian Church, 5150 E. 101st Street, Tulsa, OK 74137 or Covenant Theological Seminary, 12330 Conway Road, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Edward Semler Harris

November 24, 1940 - November 5, 2015