Marm Melton Harris

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Marm Melton Harris, 78, died Nov. 8, 2008 in Tallahassee, Fla. He was a graduate of Manila High School and earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Arkansas State University, a master's degree in natural science from Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Florida. He also spent two years as an instructor and coach at Dell High School (OK). He served four years in the U.S. Air Force. Upon graduation from graduate school, he was the business manager at Brevard Community College (FL) and then Dean at Albany Community College (GA). From there he moved to Northern Virginia Community College (Fairfax, VA) as a Provost. In 1973 he became President of Metropolitan Technical Community College in Omaha, Neb., before taking a similar position at Tallahassee Community College in Florida. While in Omaha, he was named Outstanding Community College President and received his award from President Gerald Ford. Dr. Harris finished his career as the executive director of the Florida Board of Medicine during the 1990s before retiring. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. He was preceded in death in 2007 by his wife of 54 years, Lucille.

He is survived by a son, David (and wife, Francoise); a daughter, Karen (and husband, Bob); three grandchildren, Alex, Stefanie and Leticia; two step-grandchildren, Chuck and Blair; a brother, J.T. Harris of Ravenden, and a sister, Rita McCain of Leesburg, Fla.

Mr. Harris was born to Ira and Bessie Harris in Manila on Jan. 21, 1931.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in Timberlane Church of Christ with interment in Culley's MeadowWood Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions can be made to the National Parkinson's Disease Foundation or Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd. Tallahassee, Fla. 32308.