Jimmy Harris

Jimmy Darold "Flash" Harris, age 73, passed away on Monday, July 9, 2007, at Blount Memorial Hospital following an extended illness. Born in Etowah, TN on October 5, 1933, Jimmy moved to Maryville at a very early age. He attended Maryville High School where he met his childhood sweetheart and future wife, Doris Brooks. Known for his speed on the football field, Jimmy became known as Flash and was named to the All-County football team. He graduated from Maryville College where he lettered in four sports, was named to the Little All-American Football team, and is now included on its Sports Wall of Fame. He later received a master's degree from UT. He loved coaching football and led several high school teams in the region including Sevierville and Seymour. Jimmy proudly served his country. He served in the U.S. Army and, for 49 years, served in the Tennessee Air National Guard. Jimmy loved to fly, earned his private pilot license, and was thrilled to serve as a boom operator. He was activated during the Berlin Crisis and Desert Storm and was named Airman of the Year and presented the Minute Man Award. Jimmy joined Blount County Community Action Agency in 1967 as its Asst. Director and soon was promoted to his current position of Executive Director. He served the Tennessee Assn of Community Action Agencies as its Treasurer, Vice President and President and was Vice President and President of the Southeastern Assn of Community Action Agencies. Jimmy was also proud to be a member of MD Anderson Cancer Center's Century Club. He loved to travel and see the world, but most of all he loved coming home to his family. He was adored by his three daughters and four grandchildren. Next to God and family, Jimmy valued and loved his many friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by mother and stepfather, Mae and Hoyle Vineyard, and brothers, James Newton, Trindle, Alfred, and Kimsey Lee "Cotton". Survivors include the wife he cherished for 53 years, Doris Brooks Harris; daughters and sons-in-law, Sheree and Norman Frede, Ginger and Mike Pope, and Stacy and Rodney Wilburn; grandchildren, Lindsey Brown, Will Pope, Caroline Wilburn, and Anna Grace Wilburn; sister, Louise "Pint" Bradshaw; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 12, 2007 in the Trinity Chapel with Rev. Charles Ballard officiating. Entombment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to: Blount County Community Action Agency, 3509 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803 or Maryville College, Jimmy "Flash" Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Maryville, TN 37803. The family will receive friends and celebrate Jimmy's life on Wednesday, July 11 at 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Trinity Chapel, Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jimmy Harris please visit our Sympathy Store.