Obituary of S. A. Harris

S. A. "Jimmie" Harris, 92, of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, died on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at Midwestern Regional Medical Center in Zion. Jimmie was born December 30, 1916 in Meade, Kansas and operated Artesian Valley Creamery and Produce Business in Harrington, Kansas. He came to Winthrop Harbor in 1946 after serving 6 ½ years in the United States Navy, both as a Recruiting Officer in Kansas City, Missouri and Great Lakes, Illinois and overseas with Joint Army-Navy Intelligence in the Pacific Ocean area. Jimmie was an auto dealer in Winthrop Harbor from 1949 until 1976 and was a member of the Dealer Advisory Board in Detroit, Michigan representing the Chicago area. Jimmie's extensive community service included Precinct Committeeman, was a member of the Republican Federation for many years, served as Chairman of Winthrop Harbor Planning Commission from 1958 to 1985, was a Board member and Chairman of Lake County Planning Commission, he spearheaded the establishment of the Winthrop Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, and helped create a street numbering system for Winthrop Harbor. Jimmie also headed the local Republican organization, he organized and chartered the Winthrop Harbor Lions Club in 1954 and remained active with a club membership of 64, was Past District Governor for Lions of Illinois District 1-F 1962 to 1963, and served as International Convention Chairman for Lions of Illinois District 1-F for 25 years. He also served as President of Winthrop Harbor School Board, was President of Zion-Winthrop Harbor-Beach Park Chamber of Commerce, was a board member and a past Chairman of Zion State Bank Board of Directors, served on the Board of First of American Bank, served as Benton Township Clerk, and was in charge of Service Unit of Salvation Army for 25 years. Currently, he was a Board Member and Vice-President of Midwestern Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees of which he has served for 25 years, was Chairman of the Village of Winthrop Harbor Economic Development Committee, was Chairman of the Winthrop Harbor Citizens Police Committee, was an active member of First Christian Church of Kenosha, Wisconsin since 1950, managed Harris Enterprises in Winthrop Harbor, and was an Associate Member of the Winthrop Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Mary; children, James Randy (Linda) Harris of Mena, Arkansas, Linda (Edward) Isom-Burge of Libertyville, Illinois, and Patti (Douglas) Gross of Mechanicsville, Virginia; seven grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Friday, March 27, 2009, from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, 13022 Wilmot Road, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 p.m. at First Christian Church with Rev. Brian Henry officiating. Interment will be private later at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either First Christian Church, 13022 Wilmot Road, Kenosha, Wisconsin, or Lions of Illinois Foundation, 2814 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, Illinois 60178-3117, or Assistance in Healthcare Foundation, 2520 Elisha Avenue, Zion, Illinois 60099 have been suggested.