Joseph Harris, Jr., 85, was born May 23, 1931 in Eudora, Arkansas, Chicot County to Joseph Harris Sr. and Ella Higgins. Joseph was raised predominately by his grandmother Eliza Higgins which led to his strong convictions about love of family and raising children. Joseph grew up with the hard farm life of the rural south which included picking cotton for 50 cents a day as a child. By weekend he had enough money for popcorn and a movie on Saturday, the church collection on Sunday with enough left over for salami and crackers during the wagon ride home. After high school Joseph left Arkansas for the Army in 1952 at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina. This is where he met Barbara Royall whom he would marry in 1955. Compared to farm life, Joseph considered the military fun. Eager to fight in Korea his family pressed for his release after two years of service. Not wanting to continue work on the farm, Joseph settled in Kansas City, MO in 1954. Joseph found himself again in government service with the United States Post Office in 1957. Despite training and certificates in auto mechanics and data processing in 1959 and 1966 respectively Joseph chose to stay with the USPS for 32 years, including Union Representative which allowed him to travel nationally. He was also the photographer at conventions and meetings for post office publications. Being smart with money he managed to retire in 1989 at 57 years of age, but remained active in the post union as chairman of the board of trustees. Being from the south Joseph was an avid sportsman and family man and continued that tradition with his family which included hunting, fishing, shooting, boating at the local lakes and motorcycle riding. Despite leaving farm life behind he continued his gift for gardening and cooking, always having plenty of fruits and vegetables planted around the yard and expertly BBQing meats that the family looked forward to during holidays and reunions. After 54 years of marriage his wife Barbara passed on. Seven years and seven days to the day he rejoined her on August 27th, 2016. He leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters, Shirley Rainey and Toye Harris of Kansas City; four sons, Ronald Harris, Sr., Darrell Harris, Terrell Harris (Maria Elena), all of Kansas City, MO and Kenneth Harris, Sr. (Delilah) of Salt Lake City, UT; two brothers, Floyd Brown of Eudora, AR and Mitchell Harris of Clayton, LA; two sisters, Christine Robbins of Little Rock, AR and Mary Campbell of Clayton, LA; nine grandchildren, Roderick Brown, DeJuana Lee, Alvin Napoleon, Jr., Tiffanie Henderson, Ronald Harris, Jr., Kenneth Harris, Jr., Kiara Watts, LaToya Harris, Jacob Harris and a host of great grand-children, nephews, nieces, extended grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be Tuesday, September 6, 11:00 a.m. at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Leavenworth National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.