Charlie Harris Storms the Gates Again

This week, Charlie Harris died. He was not a 59 Musketeer, but many of us knew him when he was on the winning football teams in earlier years. I have occasionally run into him and have heard the whispers "he's an ex-con, you know" about his time in prison and his crazy actions which put him there and the quiet comments "he's a hard worker in his church."

But I also learned that he was a hard-drinking buddy of my uncle before he stormed the gates of the Augusta National Golf Club in his old blue pickup to see President Reagan about his concerns for American Workers and overseas jobs. I learned that after he stood before our classmate Judge Dudley Bowen to hear his charges and later served a portion of his sentence, he began a prison ministry which he continued after he became a regular citizen again. I learned that he was a quietly respected member of his community who could always be counted on.

I'm glad I had a chance to get to know the adult Charlie Harris. I'm sure he's storming another Gate this week. This time, I don't think he'll need to take hostages to see The Big Guy.

Addendum: 7/26/07 This week I visited my sister and passed by the church where my Story great-grandparents are buried. I thought this photo needed to be added to Charlie's obituary. AAB

Charlie's Obituary
APPLING, Ga. - Entered rest Wednesday, July 4, 2007, Mr. Charles R. "Charlie" Harris, 68, beloved husband of Eleanor Harris for 47 years. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 7, 2007, at Dunn's Chapel United Methodist Church, Appling, Ga., with the Reverend Jeffrey Freehof officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Mr. Harris, was born in Newberry, South Carolina to the late Harry Raymond Harris and Almena Harris. He was a retired Millwright from Austin Industries. He was an avid sportsman and loved hunting, fishing, and football. He was devoted to his family and friends and lived his life to the fullest. He graduated from Richmond Academy where he was a star football player with scholarships offered, but was unable to continue due to injury his senior year. He did later play semi-pro ball with the Augusta Eagles. Mr. Harris was a good Christian man who touched many lives with his testimony. He was a member of Dunn's Chapel United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday School teacher and Lay Leader of the church. In addition to his wife, survivors include his children, Sandra H. Vandeventer, Evans, Bonnie H. Bussey and husband, Scott, Grovetown, Charlene H. Fulcher and husband, Carlton, Appling, and Ramsey R. Harris, Augusta; grandchildren, John J. McDaniel, Jr., Amber Bussey, Brent Bussey; and Morgan Fulcher; brother, Michael L. Harris and wife Peggy, Appling; sister Harriett Garrison and husband Butch, Evans; his mother, Eulalie Sales, of California; and brother, Russell Remero, California. He was predeceased by brother John Curtis Harris. Pallbearers will be Fred Richard Bussey, John McDaniel, Ray Fulcher, Ernie Hammond, Jack L. Fitzgerald, and Steve Hutchins. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Charlie's memory to Dunn's Chapel United Methodist Church, 6563 Ridge Road, Appling, Ga. 30802. Mr. Harris will lie-in-state at the church one hour prior to the service. Friends may call at the residence. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 7 to 9 PM at Starling Funeral Home, Hwy 78, Harlem, Ga. -

Related story in Augusta Chronicle
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/070707/met_134992.shtml
1983 Story in Time Magazine

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,921354,00.html