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In
Memory
Gene (E.R.) Harris
On Wednesday,
March 6, 2003, GMS lost a very multitalented and generous member.
After years of poor health Gene continued his lapidary work and sharing
his intellectual gifts on a variety of sub-jects.
A native Atlantan, he had worked for General Motors and was a self-taught engineer. He performed all phases of the lapidary arts and always gave away his creations. He invented several tools and installed the second-invented radar at Bell Bomber plant. Other hobbies were raising pigeons and parakeets, and helping his daughter graft plants. He had a ham radio, and had flown his own Piper plane. On field trips he was an acknowledged leader and he lectured on silver working too. He led an outstanding family with similar talents; much credit should be given to daughter Ann who managed the extended family in addition to caring for her ailing parents. Gene was feisty with a heart of gold. We will all miss him.
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I didn't
get to know Gene very well, but I enjoyed it when we sat and he chatted
about his collecting adventures. On numerous occasions, he would reach
into his shirt pocket and pull out a terrific epidote crystal that he found
during the construction of the I-85/I-285 interchange in Norcross. This
was the best epidote crystal I've ever seen from Georgia, and in retrospect,
I should have been more persistent in persuading him to lend or donate
it to the Weinman. I never had the heart, however, since he seemed to take
so much pleasure carrying it around and showing it to people.
Jose Santamaria, Director
and Curator
Weinman Mineral Museum Cartersville, Georgia Mailing Address: 51 Mineral Museum Dr. White, GA 30184 (770) 386-0576 www.weinmanmuseum.org |
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