Frank Hoffman Harris
Tuesday 18th of December 1934 - Monday 26th of July 2021

Services
Celebration of Life
If you can't attend Frank's celebration tomorrow in person, please join us virtually by clicking this link and selecting GOING.
Frank
Hoffman Harris, 86, passed on July 26, 2021. The oldest of 5 children, he was born
December 18, 1934 in Louisville, KY, the son of Lucille Irene Hoffman
Harris Matheson and Roy Edward Harris. His family was to move to
Hopkinsville KY, Paris TN, Oak Ridge TN and Paducah KY. Frank was active
in 4-H & FAA programs and graduated from Lone Oak High School in 1952.
He attended Paducah Junior College during the day from 1954-56 with majors in
Science and Pre-Med and was senior class and student body president while also
working at the Atomic Energy Commission plant at night. Frank enlisted in
the US Army at Ft. Benning GA as Sargent E-5 with Company D, 3rd
Infantry Division and served in Aschaffenburg, Germany. Back in Kentucky
he taught Science at Heath High School, in Heath, KY. He graduated from UK in
1962 where he was also the Night Manager of the Student Center. He did post
graduate work in education in 1962 and 1963. Frank met and married fellow
student and visual art major, Elsie Ewart Kay of Charleston WV. He taught
Chemistry at Lafayette High School before he and Elsie entered the USAID,
Teachers for East Africa, program where he taught biology to 150 Tanzanian
secondary African boys at KNCU school near Moshi, Tanzania on the slopes of Mt.
Kilimanjaro. Returning stateside, Frank became the Administrative
Assistant at the UK Student Center and in 1965 was appointed the Director of
the Student Center. In 1973, he was appointed Associated Dean of
Students. In 1980, he became the Director Student Center as well as the
Associate Dean of Students, a position he held until retirement in 1997.
While there, he was the University Advisor to the Student Government
Association, the Student Agencies and the Student Activities Board.
Frank
was a founding father of the National Association Campus Activities, originally
known as NEC, National Entertainment Conference, and the first Chairman of the
Board of Directors from 1967 – 1969 where later he was named an honorary
chairman. The NACA Frank H. Harris
Student Government Advisor Award was named in honor of him and he was the
recipient of the NACA Founders Award, the highest honor presented by the
organization. He was a member of the
Association of College Unions-International where he held the position of
Regional Representative from 1967 - 1968. He is a member of Phi
Delta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society.
Frank has had the opportunity to influence the lives of many students. He has
also touched the lives of many individuals and groups in the entertainment
field, both agents and artists, and has mentored many individuals in the
profession of Student Union management and Student Activities. At his UK
retirement luncheon in Dec. 1997 he had remarks by Mayor Pam Miller, Gov.
Edward Breathett, and Charles T. Wethington Jr. among others. “His
contributions, influence and friendship in the life and well-being of students
and staff at the University of Kentucky are deeply appreciated and will be
fondly remembered. said John
Herbst, UK Student Center Director.
In addition, Hebst further commented,
"To say
that Frank Harris was an Icon in the profession would be a dramatic
understatement. Frank's selfless love for others and service leadership
is larger than life. As many are aware, because of the NACA Award named
for him, he advised Student Government and student leaders at the University of
Kentucky for decades with a passion for student development.
I was
fortunate to visit with many of the original founders of the Association and
they recalled, that as the Block Booking Conference was evolving into the
National Entertainment Conference and incorporating; everyone realized they
needed a respected and articulate person of highest integrity to represent the
group to University Presidents AND some of the most influential and powerful
agents/managers in the Entertainment Industry. All eyes in the room
turned to Frank Harris, and he graciously said, 'Yes, I will'.”
With much
personal attention from Frank at his personal expense, NACA evolved into that
dream envisioned in the 1960's. I was honored to work for him, learn from
him and call him my dearest friend."
After
retirement the Student Center Grand Ballroom was dedicated in Frank’s
honor. Frank has served on the Lexington Council for the Arts (LexArts)
board, the Lexington 4th of July Festival, the Bluegrass State Games and has
been the Chairman of Board of the Griffin Gate Community Association 2 times,
the second being the change from developer to community owned.
He
had a lifetime appreciation of the visual arts and was an avid collector. He was a lifelong teacher – helping others to
find their paths in life. He was a quiet
activist for equal rights for all, years ahead of his time, making space for
voices that needed to be heard but could more easily have been quashed or drowned
out.
Upon
retirement, he cruised the “great loop,” the rivers, lakes, Great Lakes and
intra-costal waterways of United States and Canada with wife Elsie in their
boat, “SeaSong.” He has
traveled to many places in Africa, Europe, Eastern Europe, Russia, China,
Middle East, Asia, South America and Antarctica.
Frank is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elsie Ewart Kay Harris, 2 daughters, Leigh Harris (McKee) of Lexington, KY and Mindi Harris McClure and husband Jeff McClure of Dallas TX, 2 granddaughters, Catherine McClure and Ginger McClure of Dallas TX, sister Patricia Ann (and Don) Fullerton of Salt Lake City UT and brother Roy Michael (and Linda) Harris of Memphis TN as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by two brothers, Lawrence Edward Harris and Antony Lee Harris.
A celebration of Frank's life will be held Tuesday, August 10 from 5-7pm at Apiary, 218 Jefferson St, Lexington KY.
Those planning to
attend are requested to leave a message here. Festive
attire and stories are encouraged.
If you can't attend Frank's celebration tomorrow in person, please join us virtually by clicking this link and selecting GOING.
He would like all the memorial donations to
go to University of Kentucky Frank H.
Harris Fund, Office of Philanthropy, Sturgill Building, Rose St, Lexington,
KY 40506 and/or NACA Foundation in
memory of Frank H. Harris 13 Harbison Way, Columbia, SC 29212.
Guest Book
Joe Lizza
saysWhile I never met Frank, his accomplishments and focus on student success reach further then those who have met him personally. From all accounts, Frank was someone who took charge when others might have just sat and watched. “Even though your time on the job is temporary, if you do a good enough job, your work there will last forever” Joe Lizza Chair, NACA Foundation
Marilyn Sagan
saysFrank was an accomplished educator and all round good guy! My sympathy to his wife and daughters. Frank will be missed NY many people!
Dianne Cash
saysSo sorry for your loss Elsie. He was such an accomplished man. We always think of him when we go to Starnes bar-b-cue in Paducah. He and Norm loved it. Prayers for you and the girls.