A pioneering African-American athlete and a friend and doctor to some of the city's movers and shakers, Homer Harris passed away in his home on March 17, 2007.
He was 91 and had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
FROM FOOTBALL TO MEDICINE
Dr. Harris was a standout football player who captained the Garfield High School team in 1933 and wanted to play football at the University of Washington after he graduated.
It wasn't to be; the Huskies did not allow African-American players on the team in those days. However, Iowa State University did, and he went on to become the first African American to captain the Top 10 team.
Dr. Harris was also inducted into the Iowa sports hall of fame five years ago in recognition of his contributions to the Hawkeyes.
His goal of playing professional football after college was thwarted because of existing color barriers. So Dr. Harris decided on a different tack and went to Meharry Medical College in Tennessee, where he specialized in dermatology.
He completed his residency at the University of Illinois Medical School and returned to Seattle, where Dr. Harris opened an office and worked as a dermatologist for 43 years before retiring in 2000.
MANY ADMIRERS
The city honored Dr. Harris as a Pioneer Black Doctor, and one of his patients was lifelong friend and King County Executive Ron Sims, who said Dr. Harris strove for excellence in everything he did.
Sims made that comment in 2005 at a ceremony dedicating Homer Harris Park, in the 2400 block of East Howell Street, in Madison Valley. The park was paid for, in part, by a $1.3 million donation made by another friend and admirer who preferred to remain anonymous.
Dr. Harris declined to speak at the ceremony, but others were more than willing to shower accolades on the man. That included family friend Dr. Millie Russell, who praised Dr. Harris' competence as both a scholar and a doctor who showed great compassion for his patients. "He was a friend who opened doors for associates," said Russell, who described Dr. Harris as both a role model and "a hunk."
Lifelong friend Stimson Bullitt also spoke at the ceremony and said the park would perpetuate the memory of an admired citizen. "Over the past 65 years, Homer and I have had plenty of good times in parks," he said. "Now we are at the stage where we appreciate a park that has a bench."
Dorothy Harris, Dr. Harris' wife of 56 years, died a short time before the dedication ceremony.
Dr. Harris is survived by his daughter, Heather Harris Felzenberg, and a grandson. There was no funeral at his request.[[In-content Ad]]
