Frank Harris

James Franklin Harris was born on October 20, 1895, in Gonzales County. Raised on a ranch, he always owned and worked horses, whether racing, roping, or showing.

• 1925-1936: Manager of Brinks Express, Houston, Texas.
• 1939: Produced his first rodeo at the T-Diamond Ranch in West Columbia, Texas, with close friend J.G. (Jack) Phillips Jr.
• 1948-1971: Produced Texas High School State Finals Rodeo in Hallettsville.
• 1953: Produced rodeo for King and Queen of Spain.
• 1956: Named Producer of the Year by the Southwest Rodeo Association.
• 1958-1959: Produced Houston Fat Stock Show Rodeo.
• 1966-1971: Produced Huntsville Prison Rodeo.
• 1968: Produced Hemisfair Rodeo in San Antonio.
• 1940-1971: Produced rodeos in Alvin, Angleton, Nederland, Livingston, Cleveland, Robstown, Pasadena, Yoakum, West Fort Worth, New Braunfels, Bay City, Texas City, Giddings, Rosenberg, Victoria, Crosby, Texarkana, Port Lavaca, Edna, as well as West Monroe, Louisiana, and Birmingham, Alabama.

Founder and Director of the Southwest Rodeo Association, he was also a member of the International Rodeo Association and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. “Daddy Frank” lived the Western life that he loved. Aside from the numerous awards he received for Bucking Bull, Bareback Bronc, Saddle Bronc, and Producer of the year, he especially relished his awards from the local Future Farmers for his support of agricultural youth. His love of rodeo and the Western lifestyle is nowhere more exemplified than by his service to the youth of Texas. He sponsored many young men and women to college and would encourage and support any youth with an interest in the Western lifestyle.

Died on June 8, 1971, Harris was survived by his wife of 42 years, Margaret McFarland Hanson Harris (died 1992), daughter Lillian Marie Beal and her husband Owen J., and grandsons James Dixie and Donald Wayne Beal.