RANDY ‘ZIP’ HARRIS SR.

Funeral services are being planned for Randy “Zip” Harris Sr., of Mexia, after he passed away on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Providence Hospital in Waco.

The services are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m, at First Baptist Church, Mexia. Pallbearers will be Michael Hall, Greg Busby, Jeffrey Abor, Elias O’Neal, D’Morris Smith and Bruce Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be Earl Moffett, Trenton Boone, James Freeman, Eric Smith, Greg Nemons, Charles Nemons and Altus Carter.

Visitation will be held at the church, immediately before the funeral. A wake will also be held Friday, Feb. 7, 6-8 p.m. at Dorsey Keatts Funeral Home, 602 N. Ross Avenue in Mexia.

Randy was born on Aug. 2, 1956, in Mexia, to Gerald Payne and James Ola Busby. He grew up in Mexia and attended Mexia schools.

He married Sharron Abor in 1977, and they were blessed with three children.

Randy loved sports deeply, especially football, from an early age. He took younger men under his wing, and many say their love of sports originated with that relationship. He was also a skilled fitness trainer and had training in natural medicine.

Randy worked at the Mexia State Supported Living Center for more than 30 years, providing direct care to clients there. He retired in 2013.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandmother Marie Griffin; maternal uncles Willie Otis Harris and Odell Harris; and a maternal aunt, Henrietta Ross.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters LaTosha Henderson and Demetria Harris; sons Randy Harris Jr. and Dominic Harris; grandchildren Eizha, Ty, Naya, Trenton, Kailyn, Amani, Jaden, Olivia, Emilia and Alonzo; two special aunts Evella Smith and Emma Burks; dear friends James Freeman and Altus Carter Jr.; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and other family members and friends.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by W.H. Littles and Sons Mortuary, of Waco.