John Cannon Harris

John Cannon Harris, age 96, of Fulton, Missouri, passed away Thursday, June 27, 2013, at his home. Mr. Harris was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 5, 1917, to Tyre Crawford Harris and Mary Lupton Cannon Harris. Mr. Harris attended Fulton Public Schools. In 1939, he graduated from Westminster College where he was a member of Alpha Delta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. He was elected to the College Board of Trustees in 1958 and served through 1995, having completed a term as Chairman of the Board. In 1986, Mr. Harris was granted the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Westminster College. At his retirement in 1995, he was named Trustee Emeritus. Mr. Harris' career at The Callaway Bank began in 1939 and spanned seventy-two years. His work at the bank was interrupted during World War II when he served as a naval officer. Following the war, he returned to Fulton and resumed his duties at the bank. He was elected President and Chairman of The Callaway Bank in 1957. Mr. Harris was a dedicated member of The Callaway Bank board until his retirement in 2011 when he was designated Director Emeritus. Active in banking organizations, he was a founding member of the Missouri Independent Bank and the Missouri Independent Bankers Association. In 1993, the Missouri Independent Bankers Association named Mr. Harris Honorary Chairman. Mr. Harris modeled service to his community. He was a life-long member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fulton where he served as an elder. Singing in the church choir each week for sixty-five years brought him great joy. He was a founding member and board member of the Fulton Housing Authority and of the Callaway United Way. He also served on the boards of Ecumenical Ministries of Callaway County, SERVE Inc., the Board of Jail Visitors, and William Woods College. On December 15, 1949, John Harris married Mary Lois Stahr, who survives. Their three surviving children are Mary Stahr Harris Powers of O'Fallon, Martha Overton Harris of Jefferson City, and John Cannon Harris Jr. of Callaway County. Their son William Tyre Harris preceded his father in death. Their grandchildren are Mary Katherine Powers, Susan Harris Powers Foglesong, James Stanley Hutson, and John Patrick Hutson. Their great-grandson is John Harris Foglesong. Mr. Harris is survived by one brother, Overton T. Harris of Fulton. An older brother, Tyre Crawford Harris Jr., preceded him in death. There will be a private memorial service for family.