Memories & Photos | Remembering Rook

I have given much thought to which memories I should share. How I could best capture the “Essence of who Harris was.” There are so many. He worried about Katie fitting in at her new school after we got married; he worked so hard always but still managed to teach me how to have fun; he cared so passionately about so many things; he could laugh so hard at the silliest joke or movie or anything else; he loved my mom and welcomed her into our life like it was no big deal, he wanted the best for his family and felt every pain that we ever suffered; if I had a problem with work or really anything - his advice was always the same - F’em! He was my rock, he didn’t waver. He knew what he thought was right and that was it. There are so many things I could say. Like how my life will never be the same without him. That I am angry this has happened to us. The one thing I keep coming back to is that it is true he was not a perfect man. But he was perfect for me and I miss him. -Kay Crow

Harris was such an amazing man! He worked with me for many years and always came through in times of need. Fond memories are the personal emails and texts he would send out at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Even after not working together for more than 20 years he always remembered those times and was so kind to ensure those who did work with him were remembered! My brother Mark worked closer with him than I did but we’ll never forget Harris and the kind and generous soul of a man he was! He will be sorely missed on earth and he makes a way for all those he loved in heaven! -Sondra Bradley

So. many. memories. I remember the way he took a young 24 year old under his wing and gave her the skills to have a successful career. I remember what a wonderful mentor and friend Harris always was. The intro on this website is perfect because it fits him to a 'T'. I wish I could pin down a specific funny story or two, but what I have are a ton of great memories every time Harris was around, even just day to day interactions. His love of Clapton. When he met Kay. When his girls were born. The get togethers at Harrigan's and the Friday afternoon phone calls to see if I was coming over. The great times we all had at the New Year's Eve parties. His Tanqueray & tonic drinks. How he was always happy to see Paul & I, with a sparkle in his eyes 'Hey man!'. The little laugh he would do when he was about to lay down some truth, good or bad. I could go on forever. Life eventually got in the way and we didn't see him as much as we would have liked, but he was always close by in our thoughts. We are shocked and devastated at his passing, but he will live forever in our hearts. I look forward to celebrating his amazing life next year. -Amy Ware

When the family was moving out of the home in Southlake it was kind of a big deal bc the house was so big and there was stuff everywhere so I brought my brother and 6 year old nephew to help. After a long day of moving, Kay and Harris asked my brother to stay for pizza as a gesture of gratitude. So we go back to the house and my brother and his son walk in and the dogs, particularly Gadget, go nuts. My nephew reached down to pet one of the dogs and my brother tells him, “Don’t touch the dogs son, you’ll get them dirty.” I looked across the room and Harris had his head down doing his Harris chuckle because he knew that someone had warned them, “These aren’t dogs, they’re HIS dogs.” I’ll miss seeing an old man just be a kid with his dog again. -Ryan Harvey

I have so many memories of my former neighbor Harris it’s hard to pick one. One day Harris called and said he needed to warn me about a party for Amanda’s graduation from high school. They were having a lot of kids attend and a band will be setting up and playing in the driveway on the other side of our fence. He told me if the noise got too loud call him and he would quiet them down. I told him not to worry. I had the “Volume Control” in my hands. He ask what I meant and I told him I have a long Haden hose that I would use to soak everyone on the other side of the fence. He said good, use it if you need to. I then told him I had a fresh bottle f Gentleman Jack and he should come over and help me wipe it out. He agreed and in less the 5 hours we emptied the bad boy. Harris was “Kool to the bone”. My wife Mary thought of him as the neighbor on Tool Time a TV show where Tim talked to a head and set of eyes over the fence. That’s how she mostly saw him. Harris called me another time and said “tomorrow we are going to take a test for our Concealed Weapon Permit and meet him in the driveway at 8AM. I asked if I needed a gun and he said yes. Well I didn’t own one I said and he told me he had a house full and I could use one of his. That was a blast, we spent the day with the Fort Worth Police and at a gun range getting qualified. That’s how I bought my gun and got a permit to carry. Thanks to Harris. I emailed stuff daily with Harris and he responded daily. We met for lunch after I moved back to Texas, after a 4 year stint in California, and was supposed to have lunch two weeks ago. I will miss Harris every day. Either playing golf with Harris or having drinks at he favorite watering hole. RIP Harris -Tom Simmerman

Harris and I first met over the phone because of a software program he developed. Something went wrong (user error) and was told to call Harris. Didn’t even know who they were talking about at the time. Got ahold of him and he said what do you want me to do I’m on the beach on vacation. I felt so bad bothering him because I didn’t even know he was on vacation none the less who he was. Long story short as always with Harris he pulled through that night and resolved the issue. Harris was always willing to help anytime and get things resolved. -Mark Bradley

"Hey Man, let's go to Vegas". It was about 15 years ago, I was in town developing software with Harris and it was a weekday evening at his favorite pub. You know the place, Harris and Kay had a reserved table on every Friday night. It was just the 2 of us, and he continued to try to get me to get to fly to Vegas with him. Flights were leaving Dallas fairly often, he said we could catch a flight out this evening. In other words, with the shirts on our back. Didn't make the trip, but often wonder what it would have been like to leave like that "unplanned"? We miss you Harris! -Doug Huber

Harris was a guy that gave me a chance at a job when I needed it. The recommended course may've been to fire me. He gave me a chance even though my book knowledge didn't correspond with my actual experience. I thought I knew so much more than I really did. But he saw something in me.

We became good friends, we lost touch, we reconnected. It was like we never were apart. We got to spend a little time together. I cherish that time. I had a lot respect for Harris. I will miss his sense of sense of humor. He was always good for a wise crack. A lot of the time if you weren't listening you'd miss it.

And he was a patriot, he loved the USA. Rest in peace Harris.

-Thom Overlin

What a great man Harris was. I looked up to him as he taught me many things throughout the years. For a long period of time we worked together most Saturdays and nights as needed. In the 20 years I’ve know him he rarely got upset. If he did you couldn’t really tell as he always kept his KOOL. He was an all around great person to have in your life no mater how you were involved with him. Harris will be greatly missed by us all and pray for the family to stay strong. -Mark Bradley

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