S. Rex Harris, 70, Walton, died at 6:35 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at Miller's Merry Manor, Logansport.

Born Nov. 20, 1938, in Smithville, Tenn., he was the son of Thomas Walter and Odell Parsley Harris. He was married on Feb. 14, 1960, in Camden, to Jean Sprinkle, who survives.

He was a 1957 graduate of Logansport High School. While in high school he participated in track, basketball and football. In basketball, he was voted most valuable player his senior year and was All-State in football. He attended Indiana University in Bloomington where he participated on the football team.

From 1960-1966 Rex served as a deputy on the Cass County Sheriff's Department and in 1966 was elected sheriff, making him the youngest sheriff ever elected in county history.

Rex served as sheriff from 1967-1974 and he and his family resided in the sheriff's residence at the county jail. His wife, Jean, served as jail matron.

From 1974 until 2005, Rex worked as an agent with Farm Bureau Insurance.

He served as chairman of the Cass County Democratic Party from 1986-1993 and had also served on the election board. From 2002 to the present, Rex served on the board of directors of France Park & Recreation and on the board of directors of Logansport Memorial Hospital.

In December 2002 Rex received the John Tipton Award, which is the highest award presented by the county.

Rex was a member of the Lutheran Church.

He was a former youth league baseball and football coach and a former adult 4- H leader of the Horse & Pony Club.

He was a member of the Logansport Exchange Club, Eagles Lodge #323 and Elks Lodge #66.

Rex enjoyed hunting, fishing, sports, politics, riding horses and helping others. He participated in local community events with his draft mules and horses in such parades as the Iron Horse Parade, Light Up Logansport Parade, Royal Center's Pioneer Days Parade, Twelve Mile's 4th of July Celebration Parade, Galveston Day's Parade, Walton's Small Town Christmas Parade, Delphi's Canal Days Parade, and Kokomo's Haynes Apperson Festival Parade.

He provided wagon and buggy rides for weddings, family reunions, and other events.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, telling stories and reminiscing.

Surviving with his wife are a daughter, Kellie Whitcomb of Logansport; a son, Jeffrey Harris (wife: Dawn) of Dublin, Ohio; three sisters, Jerry Zoubul of Indianapolis, Judy Frame (husband: John) of Fort Worth, Texas, and Nancy Samuels (husband: Norman) of Logansport; six brothers, Bruce Harris (wife: Dee) and Steve Harris (wife: Sue), both of Logansport, Harold Harris (wife: Elsie) of Adamsboro, Ralph Harris of Illinois, Grant Harris (wife: Cinda) of Fort Wayne, and Ted Shriver of Logansport; a granddaughter, Megan Whitcomb; and two grandsons, Arrick Harris and Alex Harris.

Preceding him in death were two sisters, Fredia Couch and Frankie Seehase.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Gundrum Funeral Home, Logansport. Pastor Sharon Walker will officiate. Burial will follow at the Walton I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Glaucoma Association.