Floyd Eugene Harris, 92, of Springfield, MO, quietly stepped into eternity on August 26, 2026.

Visitation will be from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 1, at Klingner-Cope Funeral Home in Springfield, followed immediately by a funeral service at 7:00 PM. His body will be laid to rest the following day at the Harris family cemetery in Maynard, AR.

Floyd was born on March 22, 1934, at the Harris family homeplace in Stokes, AR. He was the son of Lehman and Elmyra Harris and grew up on family property settled just after the Civil War by his grandpa, Mayhew Harris. He attended school in Maynard, graduating in 1954. During high school he was active in sports, being especially fond of basketball, and was an active member of the FFA where he once raised a grand prize- winning show pig that helped finance his first car purchase. After high school, he moved to Flint, Michigan, to work in the auto factory (as many in those days were doing), eventually being promoted off the assembly line to become a skilled-trades machinist. He then worked as a tool and die maker at GM for the rest of his career.

Not long after moving to Michigan in 1954, Floyd met and fell in love with Thelma Jean Smith. He and Jean were married in 1955 and made their home in Flint, Michigan. In the late-1960s he designed and then hand-built a new home for his growing family – an indication of his skill, resourcefulness, and the “can do” approach associated with everything he did. He and Jean were blessed with a total of seven children and had been married for 38 years when she died from cancer in 1993, at the age of 56. Five years later, Floyd married Betty Shaw, who was his beloved wife and companion for the next 28 years. They made their home together in Springfield, MO, where he lived until his passing.

Floyd was always a spiritual leader in his home; he was also a spiritual mentor and example to many others throughout his lifetime. He was an active member of the church of Christ, being baptized into Christ early in life, serving multiple congregations through the years as both a teacher and leader. Floyd considered being baptized into Christ the most important thing that he had done in life, and truly loved spending time with his "Christian family" across the country. After their marriage, he and Betty worshiped together at the Mission Hills Church of Christ in Springfield, and they traveled to attend gospel meetings whenever they could. He also loved acapella gospel music, not only as part of regular worship services but outside services as well. He loved to join in with his family singing gospel songs; it just seemed natural to everyone - it was unusual if family got together for any length of time and did not get out some songbooks and sing for a while!

Floyd was a handyman and carpenter (skills learned by helping his father make and sell rocking chairs, tables, chests, etc., from a workshop on the family property) and he happily used those skills to help others whenever the need arose. From small repairs or remodeling an existing house, to helping build an entire house, he was there when needed. He also lent his expertise to the construction or remodel of multiple church buildings through the years, in Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, and Alabama. He lost track of all the people he assisted over the course of his life, and rarely accepted payment for his time spent.

In his retirement, he enjoyed fishing the streams and lakes of southern Missouri when time allowed but always seemed to be busy with some carpentry project or another, usually helping someone else. He was proud of the restored 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air that he purchased in California and brought home to Missouri, showing it off on occasion at the local Steak and Shake. He and Betty were able to travel to a number of places across the world, such as Israel, Canada, the Caribbean, and Alaska.

He dearly loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. At the time of his passing, he had 69 direct biological descendants and had been blessed with the opportunity of hugging and holding every one of them in his arms, with even more expected in the next few years. He also had 4 step-grandchildren whom he loved very much. If his entire family (including spouses) were in one place at the same time, there would be a room full of 100 people!

Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, his many brothers and sisters, his first wife, Jean Harris, his youngest son, Fred Harris, a grandson, Brett Hanson, and a son-in-law, Glen Bevis.

He is survived by his beloved second wife, Betty; four daughters: Debbie Purcell (Mark), Teresa Hanson (Gerald), Jennifer Bevis, and Priscilla Rogers (Jim); two sons: Floyd Harris (Holly), Frank Harris (Danae). He is also survived by son Fred’s widow, Greta Harris; stepsons Bart Shaw (Jessica) and Brett Shaw (Theresa); 28 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His was a life well-lived; the words written of Abraham long ago apply also to our much- loved Floyd: He “breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.” (Genesis 25:8)