Charlie Harris

Charlie "Big Thunder" Harris, 83, of Poplar Bluff, passed away on Friday, June 1, 2018 at Westwood Hills Nursing Home in Poplar Bluff, MO.

He was born on June 16, 1934 to Marvin and Otha (Creach) Harris in Naylor, MO. He attended school at Poplar Bluff High School. On May 20, 1967 he married Carol Potter in Poplar Bluff, MO. He signed to play minor league baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1958 and played in several leagues including the Pioneer League, the Carolina League, Tulsa-Texas League and the Memphis Southern Association. Big Thunder's teammates included Tim McCarver, Mike Shannon, Bob Gibson, Phil Gagliano, Bob Burda, Jim Beauchamp and Jim Hickman. Following his baseball career, Charlie was active in the Poplar Bluff community including serving on the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Board, the Poplar Bluff Jaycees, and as an auxiliary police officer. He volunteered his time coaching and officiating park department baseball and AAU track for many years. Charlie enjoyed competing in golf, bowling, billiards, baseball and softball. He has been inducted as a member of the Southeast Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame.

He worked for the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff for nearly 30 years and retired from Blackwell-Baldwin Ford in 2003. He was also a licensed Auctioneer.

Charlie is survived by his loving spouse of 51 years, Carol, of the home; three children, Chuck (Veronica) Harris, Jr. of Wylie, TX, Susan (Ronald) Richards of Poplar Bluff, MO, David (Larrisa) Harris of Poplar Bluff, MO; and Scott (Paula) Harris of Poplar Bluff, MO; eleven grandchildren, Ryan, Megan, Alyssa, Nick, Veronica, Cassidy, Kaitlyn, Kaylee, Kiefer, Colby, and Pace; seven great-grandchildren, Aiden, Grayson, Tanner, Tyson, Callum, Hendrix, Olivia, and River; one brother, Ronald Harris of VA; and five nephews, Terry, Ricky, Ronnie, Craig, and Garrett. Charlie's greatest enjoyment in life was his family; he and Carol would always be present any time one of their children or grandchildren competed or performed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 grandchild,1 great-grandchild; one sister, Charlotte Harris.

Graveside Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 4, 2018 at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Poplar Bluff Parks & Recreation or the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame (Poplar Bluff Museum).