Orthel Harris

Orthel “Archie” Harris, 84, longtime Seminole resident died, Thursday, March 12, 2015 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Orthel was born in Scottsville, Arkansas to Birch Field (Buck) and Gladys (Brown) Harris. After the family relocated to Oklahoma, he worked, farming, in his younger days. He always had stories to tell about the mischief they got into working the fields. Later he worked for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation retiring in 1995, with 27 years of service. He loved working in his garden after retirement. It seems he had a “ green thumb” and could always produce a large amount of vegetables that he enjoyed giving away. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He married Mary Jane Faltermier in Maud, Oklahoma on March 28, 1954. They raised their family of three boys and one girl in the Seminole area. They are Orthel Harris, Jr. of Seminole, Bob Harris and his wife Mitzi of Seminole and Gerald Harris and his wife Brenda of Wylie, Texas and his daughter Sharon Ghalandachi and her husband Ammad of Katy, Texas. He had many grandchildren and great grandchildren that he enjoyed spending time with. After the loss of Mary Jane in 2001, he married Myra Cummings Harris in 2004, they enjoyed several years together, He enjoyed a special relationship with her children Dan and wife Barbara of Tampa, Florida, and Debbie Darr and her husband Tim of Seminole and their families. Also surviving him are brothers, Athel Harris of Brooksville, Oklahoma, Willie Harris and his wife Camilla of Seminole, Thurman Harris and his wife Georgia of Sulphur, Oklahoma, Ray Harris and his wife Helen of Valiant, Oklahoma, sisters  Edith Sbabo and Ruby Maner, both of Russellville, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by a sister Nina Fay Cowan. Funeral services are planned for 10:30 A.M., Monday, March 16, 2015 at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma with Pastor Bill Chesser officiating. Burial will follow at Little Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Ryan Harris, Tim Darr, Dusty Darr, Trace Darr, Jesse Harris and John Lee. The family will receive family and friends at Swearingen Funeral Home on Sunday, March 15, 2015 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: March 16, 2015, 10:30 AM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave. , Seminole, OK 74868