Paul Bertrand Harris

Paul Harris was born on July 4, 1940, in Kansas City, MO to Beulah Merical Harris and John Harris. His mother passed when he was 12 and his father, who worked 16-hour days, did not think he’d be able to raise him without help. Paul was then raised in Portland, OR by his sister Leona and her husband, Rev Wendell Wallace.

Paul played on the 1957 undefeated champion football team at Jefferson High School and graduated in 1958. He then attended Lewis & Clark College until he was drafted into the United States Navy.

After his service in the US Navy, Paul earned a degree in Business Administration from Wichita State University and moved to Oakland, CA, where he owned an Allstate Insurance office and was known for his honesty and hard work.

One of the happiest times of Pauls’ life was when he sold his Allstate business and returned home to Portland and became a member of Highland Christian Center. Pastor WG Hardy, JR had a great influence on Paul’s spiritual life and called him to serve as a Financial Trustee of Highland. Paul passed away on January 4, 2026.  He was preceded in death by his biological parents, his beloved sister and mother figure, Leona Wallace Smith, by his father figures, Rev Wendell Wallace & Rev Russell Smith, his two brothers, Olie Wells and William (Billy) Harris, his beloved niece, Marcia Wallace-Reed, nephews Melvin Reed JR, Wendell Wallace, JR and Mark Smith. Also preceding him in death was his nieces Diane Harris and Samoyia Lowe.

His passing leaves to mourn his niece Debbra Wallace and her son Aaron; his niece LaNita Wallace Stephens and her daughter Djuana Jones (Darnel); niece Angela Smith and her husband James Smith their children Trudi Loya (Cristan) and Garrett Smith; Joy Wallace and her children – Christopher Hall, Ryan Hall and Kayla Taylor; step-nephew David Smith and his children Haley and Hugh Smith; step-nephew Stephen Smith and his three sons Collin, Micah, and Zachery Smith; his adopted dad, Wendell’s wife Cheryl Wallace and their children Jason and Wendee.; his brother Billy’s children, Cheryl, Kandyce, Dana Echols (Eric), nephews Phillip and Shawn Harris, and his beloved niece,  Phyllis Harris.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that whomsoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE! John 3:16

May Paul now rest in his Heavenly Father’s arms for all eternity!

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