Charles E. “Toby” Harris

CHARLES HARRIS

Charles E. ?Toby? Harris, 69, of Smithville, Mo., passed away, Monday, June 20, 2005 at Liberty Hospital.

He was born on January 26, 1936 to Charles Eugene, Sr. and Helen Arline (Snipes) Harris in Martinsville, Mo. Charles grew up in St. Joseph and later graduated from Benton High School. He then served his country in the U.S. Marines, the U.S. Navy, and retired as a Captain from the Naval Reserves after 20 years.

On June 24, 1961 he was united in marriage to Joyce Evelyn Stevens. After their marriage they lived in Kansas City North, moving to Smithville in 1996 where they made their home. His wife, Joyce, preceded him in death on August 24, 2000. On March 10, 2001 he married Velma Smith. After their marriage they lived in Smithville, and in 2003 they traveled the United States.

Charles was an Electrical Engineer for Swift and Company over 30 years, retiring in 1996.

He was a member of the Paradise Baptist Church, where he served as Sunday School Director. He was a member of the Tribe of the Mic-O-Say, where he was a Hardway Warrior and Tom-Tom Beater. He was also a member of Alpha Lodge #69 in North Kansas City, where he was Master Mason and served as a DeMolay Dad for seven years. Charles was the First Eagle Scout for the Boy Scouts in Harrison County, and served on the Pony Express Council in St. Joseph, Mo.

Charles was also preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Velma, of the home, three daughters, Helen Hurley and husband, Mark, Donna Crabtree and husband, Art, and Pamela Tetens, six grandchildren, all of the Kansas City Northland area, one brother, Gary Harris and wife, Suzanne, one sister, Shirley Anne Moran and husband, Earl, all of St. Joseph, Mo., aunt, Betty Norman, Sugarland, Tx., mother-in-law, Doris Stevens, New Hampton, Mo., step-children, Harold Smith and wife, Arlene, Smithville, Mo., Helen Crawford and husband, Bob, Wichita, Ks., Genice Read and husband, Steve, Plattsburg, Mo., Judy Hughes and husband, Duke, Rayville, Mo., and Anita Burchit and husband, Bill, Edgerton, Mo., twelve step-grandchildren, eighteen step-great-grandchildren, and his supportive church family and many friends.

Funeral Services: 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 23rd at the Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville, Mo.
Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph, Mo., with Masonic Services.
Visitation: 6:30-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home in Smithville.

Donations may be made to American Lung Association, Kansas City Chapter or Camp Quality, NW Missouri.