Mr Kenneth Dale Harris

Kenneth Dale Harris September 17, 1946-March 22, 2026

Kenneth Dale Harris, beloved husband, son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, was born on September 17, 1946, in Edinburg, Texas, to James and Vera Harris. He went to be with the Lord  on March 22, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Joe Bargsley, his sister, Fannie Mae Smith and his sister-in-law Haven Whatley Toothman.

Kenneth was married to the love of his life, Lynette Toothman Harris, for 58 memorable years. Together they raised their beautiful children: Shawn (Pam) Harris, Cody (Jessica) Harris, and Crystal (Derreck) Garcia.

Kenneth’s greatest joy was time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren: Jacqueline and Pearson Harris; Lindsey (Chase) Schaedler; Darby (Kolton) Hunter; Katherine Clay (Ruben) Rivera; Abigail Vernon (Brayden Williams); Logan Davis; Gavin Garcia; Kloe Garcia (Tommy Gonzalez) and Nate Royston. His great-grandchildren—Maci, Greyson, Judson Hunter, Brooklynn, Briley, Bryson Schaedler, and Olivia Gonzalez—brought immense light and happiness to his life.

He is also survived by his brother-in-law Chester Lee Toothman, sister-in-law Linda Byler Bargley, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends too numerous to count.

Kenneth’s early years were shaped by his father’s work in construction, which kept the family moving. He began school in Uvalde, Texas, and attended Carroll Bell Elementary and Terrell Wells Junior High before the family settled on Hildebrandt Road in southeast San Antonio. He graduated from East Central High School, where he played football and participated in the band. He later received his associates degree from Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, TX, where he was involved in the rodeo club. Following this he attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, TX where he completed 3 semesters toward his Bachelor’s Degree.

Changing direction, Kenneth went on to become a firefighter with the San Antonio Fire Department. During the Vietnam War, after receiving his draft notice, he chose to serve his country by joining the United States Army in the meat inspection service, encouraging his friend Gary Burns to join him. After his honorable discharge, Kenneth returned to the San Antonio Fire Department, where he served with dedication across many stations and was promoted to engineer.

He was selected as part of the second class of Emergency Medical Technicians in San Antonio and served in that role for 13 years. Later, he returned to firefighting and was chosen to establish a division within the department to maintain air apparatus, bringing that vital work in-house rather than outsourcing it. Kenneth retired from the San Antonio Fire Department in 1989.

Never one to sit still, Kenneth pursued many interests throughout his life. He loved to fish and hunt. He bought and sold cattle, first alongside Bob Blandford, who taught him a great deal about the trade. He later partnered with college roomates Bill New and Charles Ed Smith, and together they formed 3- Cattle they raised cattle and farmed for many years, further forging their lifelong bond.

Kenneth was also an avid gun and knife collector and spent many weekends at gun shows, where he made lasting friendships while he shared his knowledge and enthusiasm. He founded the K Bar Stag Knife Handle Company and spent two years traveling across the United States promoting the Ford Supermax Deisel with on-site marketing activities at events for Ford Motor Company.

Kenneth loved to gamble and enjoyed many hours playing blackjack and he and Lynette trying their luck on the one-armed bandit. He was a faithful member of Boldtville Presbyterian Church, where he could be found in his usual seat in the crowded second to the back pew. He loved the Lord deeply, asked for and accepted the gift of salvation offered through Christ Jesus and never hesitated to encourage others in their faith.

Kenneth will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his love for family and friends, his generosity to all, but most of all for his world class sense of humor. His legacy lives on in all he connected with and most of all those of us who knew and loved him and he selflessly loved back.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Boldtville Presbyterian Church or Cover Cemetery.