Michael Howard Harris, born February 8th, 1952, joined his father in Heaven on March 10th, 2024. Michael is survived by his daughter Michelle Cleveland of Lone Oak, grandson, Colby Cope of Cumby, Grandson Preston Cleveland of Lone Oak, Sister Sandra Hunt of New Mexico, and his favorite dog, Mitchell.
Michael Harris, A southern gentleman was born and raised in north Texas. Michael married Elizabeth (Ann) Davidson in 1970. Michael and Ann moved to the small town of Sunnyvale where they raised their only daughter, Michelle. Michael started pursuing his goals and joined the Volunteer Fire Service, where he obtained several certifications including structural firefighter, EMT, and Hazmat specialist, and became the first Volunteer Licensed Paramedic in the Sunnyvale Fire Department.
Michael, while serving as a volunteer, pursued many career paths. At a point in his life, Michael worked as an electrical engineer for Lucent, before working full-time as a licensed paramedic until his retirement. Michael enjoyed helping people and even after his retirement continued to look for ways to help his community. Michael was well known in East Tawakoni, where he moved and lived during the last 15 years of his journey. People who knew Michael always spoke of his kind heart and joking ways. You could always find him around and about with his small dog Maddie until her passing followed by his new best friend Mitchell, his beloved dog.
Michael’s Grandson Colby Cope had the following things to say about his late Grandfather.
“Papa was at once the firmest, but also the most caring person you would meet. We shared a love for western movies and most conversations including talking about the newest movies coming out. Papa was not just my grandfather; he was my best friend and I’ll miss him every day. He was one of the people that I could sit and talk to about everything, no matter the topic, as long as I had coffee. I know I will see him soon, but not too soon. Fly high Papa, I’ll take it from here.”
Michael was an avid fisherman and would often challenge others fishing with him to see who could catch the largest fish, the problem was always that his bait had already been gone for twenty minutes. If you ever fished with him, his favorite saying was “Drop your linen and start your grinning”, he always believed he had the best fishing cast in the world. Michael was a simple man and as such enjoyed simple things. He never wanted any fuss over his passing and wanted everyone to live life to its fullest.
In Closing, many people loved Michael “Papa” and his loss has been hard for those closest to him. For his family, we are shaken by his absence but now look towards the future, and though we can no longer live with him, we can now live for him.
As Papa would always say “I’m your Huckleberry” and he will forever be ours.
“For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
