James Douglas Harris
James Douglas Harris was born March 18, 1938 in Cottonport Louisiana. He left this earth on Friday January 6, 2023 at 84 years of age to go to his Heavenly home.
Doug was raised in Goldonna Louisiana. He graduated from Goldonna High School in 1956. He continued his education and graduated from Northwestern State in 1961 with a BS in Agriculture.
Doug married Ella Marie Johnson, better known as “Sissie” in 1958, and they had four children.
Doug’s first job after graduating college was at Evergreen Vocational School in Minden. He worked for Dow Badisha in Freeport, Texas for five years before the opportunity presented itself for Doug and Sissie to move their family back home to Goldonna taking a position with Placid Oil in 1967,ultimately retiring as Plant Superintendent in 1993 from Nerco Oil & Gas, who had bought out Placid Oil.
In 1972 Doug was ordained as a Deacon of Goldonna Baptist Church, where he served until his death. He also served as Sunday School superintendent for twenty years.
Doug served, and represented his community as Natchitoches Parish School Board member for eight years, and served as a member of the Goldonna Town Council for four years.
The most important thing to know about Doug is that he loved God, family and his country. He was an avid outdoorsman; he loved hunting, fishing, and gardening, as well as planting trees that would benefit a number of wildlife.
He helped the founder, the late Dr. John Tarver initiate and build L & A Rails to Trails and served as president of the L & A Trails for many years.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Zelma and Walter Harris, two sisters, Walterine Martin and Molly Carter, and one son-in-law Jack Fluitt.
Doug is survived by his wife of 64 years Ella Marie Harris, Miss Sissie. Their four children:Sandra Kellie Harris Fluitt of Dodson, Julie Marie Harris Evans, (Lamar) of Goldonna, Lorelei Harris Boyett, (Mike) of Dodson, Timothy Douglas Harris, (Pam) of Goldonna; One brother, Samuel Harris (Judy) of Goldonna; Sixteen grandchildren; Thirty six great grandchildren; and four greatgreat grandchildren. As well as a host of friends and extended family Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM, at the Goldonna Baptist Church with Bro. Tim Harris and Bro. Ben Dupree officiating.
Burial followed in the Harris Cemetery in Goldonna under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.
Friends visited with the family at the church on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 for 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and again on Wednesday at the church from 9:00 AM until time of services.
Pallbearers were: Grandsons Jeremy Babers, Nicholas Weeks, Justin Boyett, Douglas Dortlon, Austin Harris, Taylor Harris Dillon Harris, Coltyn Babers, Seth Cox Honorary Pallbearers were: Justin Keiffer, Trey Morgan, Deacons of GBC Don Wells, Lloyd Gamer, James Jones, Sam Dupree Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome. com.