Lt. Col. Bobby Rogers Harris
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Lt. Col. Bobby R. Harris (Army, retired)
Bobby R. Harris will be laid to rest on Saturday January 2, 2021 at the U.S. Military's Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
Our Dad
Our dad was born on June 14, 1937 in a tiny Texas town called Malakoff. He became known, even as a young child, as someone who knew how to achieve the unexpected.
His childhood was simple, but it was not easy. He struggled to find his voice, because he was often silenced by a medical condition that targeted his vocal cords.
He overcame it.
He wanted to go college- the first in our generations of Texas family. But there was no money for that or any role model to show him how to make up the difference between having so little and needing so much.
He found a way.
Bobby Harris wanted to be a pilot at a time when blacks were barely free to walk the earth in America, let alone fly as a uniformed officer in the skies. Dad would tell us, "I'd rather serve this nation that's trying to be all it can be than live anywhere else. America is worth our struggle and my service." He entered the U.S. Army as a young man in his 20's.
He wanted more.
He broke barriers, getting a graduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering at Georgia Tech.
He was on a mission.
Armed with an excellent education, the flying skills of a warrior and a beautiful wife by his side, our dad was destined to continuously surprise people with his victories. In battle situations, against all odds, Dad found a way to land his plane safely and return to Mom.
Our parents are both gone now. Mom went first in November 2016. Dad said, "I've lost the greatest civilian warrior I've ever known."
Dad died on Christmas Day 2020.
We are the Colonel's daughters. I'm Harris Faulkner, the oldest. It's a blessing to know that Dad who literally touched the heavens in a fighter jet, is there now with our mom, Shirley Harris. I'm forever grateful to him for setting an amazing example of grace and victory!
And I'm Annissa Buchanan, the youngest of Bob's daughters. Like many of you, I listened to the stories of his life and found pieces of wisdom I will carry with me always. He taught me so much but the one thing he made sure I knew with certainty was that he loved his family. I hope he knew just how much he was loved in return.
Our Brother
There were three brothers, little boys hanging together from the start: Big Bro Bobby, in the middle Ronnie Lane and me, the youngest Luther T. Lane, Jr. Our big brother was always in forward motion. And he inspired anyone around him to be too! We will miss his compassion, his kindness and his love.
Footprints
Ret. Lt. Col. Harris also leaves behind three grandchildren: Audrey Buchanan, Bella and Danika Berlin. Our Grandpa Bobby touched so many people with his energy and love. He made us all believe that impossible is a state of mind.