Aid The Harris Family in Their Time of Loss

My husband passed away on August 31 after a 7 year long fight with colorectal cancer. He was such a special man and now the journey begins of trying to live life without him. I am very grateful that I was able to spend his last weeks by his side, telling him I loved him, and holding his hand. Thank you for all your support of me and of our son, from the bottom of my heart.

The picture above is from March of 2024 and is taken near our home outside of Dallas, Texas.

I have copied and pasted his obituary below:

Christopher Jermaine Harris, 36, passed away on August 31st, 2024 in his home in Frisco, Texas, surrounded by loving family and friends.

Chris was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer on Labor Day Weekend 2017 and on Labor Day Weekend seven precious year later, Chris passed from the disease. Despite his diagnosis, Chris lived a full and vibrant life, just as he always had. Admired for not only his intelligence, but also the way he connected with people, he had a remarkable ability to make those around him feel valued and respected, as well as a calm demeanor and thoughtfulness that brought a positive energy to every situation.

Born on January 8, 1988 at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, Chris was the elder son of Charles and Janice Harris. Raised in Carrollton, Texas, he lived with his mother, brother (Cameron), his aunt (Pat), and cousins (Jackie, Jacquenea, Daniel, Antoinea, Arjay).

A gifted athlete from an early age, Chris excelled in whatever sport he played but gravitated to football. His talent on the field earned him a scholarship to Utah State University, a Division I school. While he never claimed a favorite team (only favorite players), Chris supported the home team, the Dallas Cowboys, and would never miss a game. Because of his passion for football, it is no surprise that he spent hours playing his favorite video game, Madden, in the off-season, where he was ranked among the world's top 80 players. Chris also found joy in his fantasy football league, where trash-talking his friends was part of the fun and competition.

But Chris was far more than just a "jock". As a young man, Chris received a piece of advice that would guide his life: "Use your mind, not your body, for work -- your mind will stay sharp." This wisdom led him to pursue engineering while continuing to play football, despite being told by coaches that it would be impossible. He earned his degree in Computer Engineering from the University of North Texas in 2015, balancing his studies with a full-time job as a pharmacy technician at Walmart. The advice he was given, and his determination and resilience, fueled his career at DTCC where he rose to the position of Associate Director. Known for his relentless work ethic and positive attitude, Chris did not let his condition keep him from thriving in his role. He took great pride in his contributions to the community via DTCC's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Team. As Team Lead of CSR, he helped to raise over $20,000 for the North Texas Food Bank during the pandemic, plus additional funds for local schools and The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society.

Chris was also a master in the kitchen and on the smoker. A generous host, his mission was to make sure all were well-fed and having fun. Whether it was his mouth-watering burgers, his staple of smoked wings, or the salmon his in-laws loved, Chris's culinary talents were legendary. When he cooked, he went all-out, making food that catered to all his family and friends. For example, he earned the title of Chili Cook Off Champion at his workplace by creating vegetarian and a pork-free options so everyone could enjoy his creations. But anyone who knows Chris knows his specialty was his brisket. Chris was a master on the Traeger where he perfected his brisket: at one memorable Thanksgiving with friends his brisket stole the show, even pushing the turkey to the side!

Chris wanted to be known for spreading love and his ability to do so was most exemplified by his life-long friendships. He was considered a good-luck charm by some, and one friend famously refused to go white-water rafting unless Chris was along for the ride. He proudly officiated one of his closest friend's weddings in Italy last year, spending countless hours preparing his speech to honor their bond. In his final days, he and his friends were found looking through middle school year books and remembering the good ol' days.

Above all, Chris cherished his family. His primary goals in life were to "be a present, loving father" and to "create a peaceful, loving home". In 2016, he met his future wife, Madison, and quickly fell in love. Madison shared her love of travel with him and, in their years together, they jet set to Mexico, England, France and more, eventually honeymooning in Saint Lucia, his favorite of the places he was able to explore. Madison was the love of his life and when asked where his happy place was, he said it was not a destination- it was with her. They married in 2020, smack dab in the middle of the pandemic, and in 2022, Chris's next love was born: his son, Caleb. Caleb has inherited Chris's natural athleticism and analytical mind. Together, Chris and Caleb would go on long walks every morning ("Papa's" favorite part of the day) and could be found reading, shooting hoops, or making TOUCHDOWNS!!

Other things Chris enjoyed include Justin Timberlake, old school R&B, JoJo (his celebrity crush), playing the trombone and harmonica, being a "road trip warrior", hiking, Jell-o, root beer floats, swimming in his pool, having a clean cut and a fresh shave, ping pong, tennis, The Matrix, the musical Hamilton, drinking Hypnotic and Hennessy aka The Incredible Hulk, and so much more.

Chris is survived by so many loved ones including his wife, Madison Harris (Lasris); his son, Caleb Harris; his mother, Janice Harris; his father Charles Harris; his siblings, Cameron Harris, Chelzy Harris, and Chuck Harris; his parents-in-law, Morris and Lisa Lasris; his brother-in-law, Reece Lasris; his nephew, Oliver Lasris; his numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who care about him deeply; his dog, Dallas and cat, Purrsia; and his friends, who were like family. He was preceded by his brother-in-law, Ross Lasris.

Services will be held at Rough Riders Field in Frisco on Sunday September 22, 2024, at 10am and will be livestreamed. Guests are encouraged to wear sports gear in honor of Chris's love of the game or green, his favorite color.