Henry "Hank" Harris

Henry Floyd “Hank” Harris passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in St. James, MO on July 11, 2021 after a long fought battle with cancer.  Hank was born on January 3, 1953 to the late Don and Jessie Mae Harris and spent his younger years growing up in Malden, MO.

Hank truly enjoyed life and did it with style.  He was a hard and capable worker having spent a short time in the United States Army, worked several years as a truck driver and the last seventeen years as a resort manager for Bullwinkles Lodge just outside Poplar Bluff, MO.  He took great pride in his work and enjoyed being the “go to man” for his employees and patrons.  Hank had an incredible love of horse racing and was constantly looking for not only the next winner, but the next champion.  Like Secretariat, Hank had a huge heart and was willing to lend anyone a hand however he could as long as he didn’t have to break a sweat.  Hank was an avid fisherman and truly enjoyed fishing for trout on Lake Taneycomo.  He prided himself that he had spent a good number of years renting a cabin at the same resort at least once every year.

Hank told stories.  LOTS of stories.  He loved to talk to people and over the years won over the hearts of many friends and family.  He was seldom at a loss for words and when he was, it was because he had met his match for a moment with sarcastic humor.  Never one to be upset or aggravated with these conversations, you always knew when he had been had by a friendly slug to the shoulder through laughter.

Hank loved his country and between the humorous stories and tall tales, often talk of politics came to light.  He called himself a die hard Democrat, but one could often hear through conversation that he had more of a middle of the road viewpoint.  Like a lot of people, he just longed for the days when everything wasn’t so “left or right.”

Hank was preceded in death by his parents, one older sister, Donna Metcalf, and brothers-in-law Ben Metcalf and Raymond Mueller.  Siblings surviving Hank include a brother Ed (Lori) Harris, sister Dolly Harris, sister Sheila (Raymond) Mueller, and brother Michael Harris.  He was a loving father to daughters Maretta Portwood of Crescent, OK and Donna Rackley (Randy) of Saint James, MO.  He is also survived by ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Services for Hank will be announced at a later date.