HARRIS

Sgt. Ruthen J. “RJ” Harris, a resident of Bogalusa, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at the age of 59.

He was born on Sept. 16, 1953, in Bogalusa, to the union of the late Oscar and Ruby Harris Sr. He attended Central Memorial High School. In 1971 he joined the Army, where he served three years of active duty with a Class RA, rank SP4. He left the Army with an honorable discharge on March 8, 1974. His decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations and campaign awarded or authorized were as follows: National Defense service medal, Armed Forces Expeditor Medal (Korea), Expert (Rifle).

Ruthen served with the United State Postal Service as a postmaster. He served as a regional manager over several McDonald’s franchises. He graduated college as a master accountant.

He leaves to cherish his many wonderful memories, his loving devoted wife of 20 years, Bernetta Harris, who stood by his side holding his hand as he departed this life; one daughter, Autumn Mason of Bogalusa; two stepsons, Dewitt (Anita) Buckhanan of Mandeville and Charles D. (Jamie) Buckhanan of Houston, Texas; his loving mother, Ruby (Algie) Craft of Bogalusa; his loving siblings, Ungel Harris of Houston, Dennis Harris of Bogalusa, Almeta (Bobby) Hampton of D’Iberville, Miss., Shirley Harris (Earnest) Jackson of Dallas, and Robert (Carrie) Harris and Rose Cosic, both of Houston; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Effie Richard and Willie Buckhanan; 14 grandchildren; and three special great-grandsons, Jacob Collins, Kadion Collins and Karmon Collins.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 15 at Crain and Sons Funeral Home in Bogalusa from 2-7 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Greater Salter Chapel A.M.E. church, with Rev. Keith Sanders, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Bogalusa Cemetery.