MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR KENNETH L. HARRIS
WHEREAS, in His infinite wisdom, Almighty God has granted eternal peace to Kenneth L. Harris on February 17, 2019 at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Anthony Beale, Alderman of the 9th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth was born on June 18, 1929, at St. Luke Hospital in Chicago to loving parents, James Leo and Nettie Thelma Harris; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth and his younger brother Ronald William accepted Christ at an early age and were members of the Carey Temple AME Church. They both attended Sherwood Elementary School and there Kenneth established his independence. He was enrolled in Tilden Technical High School, where he studied Engineering and graduated in 1947. Tilden was outside of the neighborhood and he often spoke of having to run home from school on a regular basis. That running paved the way for him to earn a track scholarship to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. After one year he came back home, where he was needed to assist his mother who had just purchased a two flat in Park Manor; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth took a job working as a dining car waiter on the Burlington Railroad after returning to Chicago. He greatly enjoyed talking with people. His travels with the railroad broadened his experiences and enlivened the stories that he loved to tell; and
WHEREAS, the United States owes an eternal debt of gratitude to Kenneth for his service in the military. In 1953, he enlisted in the United States Army, joining his brother Ronald, serving during the Korean War. Kenneth was stationed in Japan and often talked of his time there. In 1955 after being honorably discharged, he returned home to work a variety of jobs before being hired at the U.S. Post Office. Most importantly, he returned to woo the girl next door, Delores; and
WHEREAS, on December 17, 1960, he married the love of his life, Delores Murphy, who lived in her father's building next door. The newlyweds moved to ...
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