Fred Harris

Early career Harris received his law license in November 1932 and began to practice law in Dallas. In 1935, after the end of his first legislative session in Austin and never having liked his given name of Charles, he had his name legally changed to Fred Red Harris to differentiate himself from another prominent Dallas resident who was also named Fred Harris.

Military service Harris decided to join the Navy in mid-1942 and his wife was appointed to complete his term as county commissioner. He was trained and commissioned as a lieutenant junior grade in the Naval Reserve. His initial assignment was as a flight deck officer on the escort carrier during the final stages of her pre-commissioning and her initial voyages in the Atlantic theatre.

In late 1943, Harris was reassigned to be a flight deck officer on the carrier . He participated in her commissioning and throughout her wartime service in the Pacific theatre. Harris was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart after Franklin was struck by a Japanese Kamikaze in October 1944. He received the Navy Cross and a second Purple Heart after Franklin was attacked by a Japanese dive bomber in March 1945.

Post-war career Harris was elected to the Texas Senate in 1946. After Earl Huddleston resigned from the House of Representatives in June 1951, Harris won his seat in a special election. He retired from Texas state politics in January 1953.

In 1963, Harris was appointed as a judge in Dallas County. In his spare time, he took up oil painting. His works were displayed in several one-man art shows and later published in a book. Harris and his wife moved to Waco in 1976 after his retirement.

Personal Harris married Gussie Merle Hubert on 16 October 1935. They had three daughters.