Albert Leslie Harris

Albert Leslie Harris, Jr., 85, of Winchester, died Monday, July 11, 2016. Albert was born in San Antonio on June 26, 1931, the son of Albert Leslie Harris, Sr. and Bertha (Johnson) Harris. He spent his early years in Austin, and after graduating from Austin High School, left Texas to attend Washington and Lee University in Virginia. At the onset of the Korean War, Al returned to Austin and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Albert spent four years in the military, where he served as a recruiter, often working as a radio disc jockey on Armed Forces Radio. After retiring from the military, he returned to Austin to complete his undergraduate work and obtain his Law Degree from the University of Texas. While at UT, he met and married Mary “Chris” Christian Riley. Al spent his entire career as an attorney in the Land Owner Relations Department at Exxon, first in Tyler, then Houston. Al realized his dream of owning his own piece of heaven when, in 1970, he and Chris purchased their farm in Winchester. The family, which now included daughters Janet and Susan, spent many weekends turning the completely undeveloped acreage into their home away from home. Albert retired as manager of LOR in 1986, and a year later, he and Chris left Houston to live at the farm full time. When not traveling the world with his beloved wife, Al loved working on the farm and volunteering his time in the Winchester and La Grange communities. Albert was a founding member of the Gardenia Janssen Animal Shelter and of the Winchester Civic Association, and was instrumental in establishing the Winchester Fire Department. He served on the Foundation Board of St. Mark’s Hospital, and was president of the Winchester Cemetery Association for many years. He was an active member of the Republican Party of Fayette County, and worked successfully to block the closing of the Winchester Post Office. Al was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of La Grange. He is survived by two daughters: Janet Borgeson and husband, Monte, of La Grange, and Susan McBride and husband, Andrew, of Austin; four grandchildren: Matthew Borgeson and wife, Lauren; Christine Lease and husband, Russell, all of Phoenix, Ariz.; Virginia McBride of New York, N.Y. and Madeline McBride of Austin; two great-grandchildren: Holden and Landon Lease of Phoenix, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Chris. Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 15, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Winchester Cemetery, with Dr. Jerry Hurst officiating. A reception will follow at the Bullpen Sports Bar, 2156 County Road 217, in Giddings. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Winchester Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 8802, Winchester, Texas 78945 or the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter, 240 Svoboda Lane, La Grange, Texas 78945. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange is in charge of arrangements.