A prominent Jackson Public School’s head basketball coach and Vice-Principal died on July 26.
47-year-old Fred Harris was pronounced dead at 5:30 p.m., at the University Medical Center in Jackson after suffering a heart attack in his home. A native of Vicksburg, Miss., Harris had coached at Jim Hill for 20 seasons and coached his Tigers to several state tournaments. With a career coaching record of 325-254 while at Jim Hill, Harris touched the lives of many young men.
Jim Hill Principal Lydia Haynes said that Harris had served as her assistant principal for the last 5 years.
“Coach was well respected by his staff and the students,” said Haynes. “He was a strict disciplinarian and very ethical.”
Some of Harris’ former students have created at memorial page in his memory on the popular networking site, THE FACEBOOK. Students have created graphics of pictures of Harris and written heartfelt memories. Several students said they would miss Harris’ morning messages of “lock outs and we’re having school today at Jim Hill,” among others.
“He was definitely loved by the staff and students,” said Haynes. “There will be a huge void now that he is gone.”
One colleague, Shenetra Burse, an Algebra 1 and Physics instructor at Jim Hill said the first word that comes to mind when thinking of Harris is “caring.”
“This year will be my eighth year at Jim Hill and I can truly say that Coach Harris cared about this school,” said Burse. “From the upkeep of the building to the safety of the students, faculty and staff. He was an awesome administrator. Everything he did, he did because he cared.”
Burse also added that everything Harris did was always well thought out and that of his most valuable attributes was his heart.
“His heart was as much in being an administrator as it had been in all his years as a coach,” said Burse. “He will truly be missed.”
Harris graduated from Vicksburg High School and Jackson State University where he was a standout athlete and both institutions. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Along with working at Jim Hill, Harris was also a reserve police officer with the Jackson Police Department.
Detective Earnest Perry remembered Harris in working with him on the department’s Mounting Unit.
“We worked together on the mounting patrol (horses),” said Perry. “He was a great asset to the reserve for I know at least or close to, 10 years. His presence will be greatly missed.”
Harris is survived by his wife Areda and four children Bracey, Morgan, Cole and Madison. Funeral arrangements have been set for Saturday Aug. 1 at New Jerusalem Church on Old Canton Road in North Jackson at 11 a.m. Students have organized a candlelight vigil in memorial of Harris for Wednesday at 7 p.m., on the steps of Jim Hill High School.
More details will be updated as they become available.
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