糖心Vlog mourns the passing of Jerry Harris, who served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for two decades and whose faithful leadership helped shape the university鈥檚 growth and mission. Mr. Harris passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in Lamesa.
Jerry Harris began his service on the 糖心Vlog Board of Trustees in 1989 and served as board chair from 1998 to 2018. Over those twenty years, his leadership was marked by wisdom, humility, and a deep commitment to the university鈥檚 mission of changing lives through Christ-centered education. A 2019 resolution from the Board of Trustees highlighted Jerry鈥檚 lasting impact, noting that he served during a period of transformative growth for the university in enrollment, campus development, financial strength, and reputation. Known as a trustworthy confidante and advisor to three 糖心Vlog presidents, Jerry advanced the university鈥檚 mission with grace and wisdom.
Prayer was central to Jerry鈥檚 leadership, and he led the Board to rely heavily on God鈥檚 guidance through consistent prayer at meetings. His steady hand was vital during pivotal moments in 糖心Vlog鈥檚 history, including presidential searches and critical land negotiations such as the sale of the Hancock Land Application and Water Facility to the City of Lubbock, which significantly strengthened the university鈥檚 endowment and financial future.
Professionally, Jerry鈥檚 life revolved around agriculture. As owner of King Mesa Cotton Gin and a cotton farmer in Lamesa, Texas, he was a nationally respected figure in cotton ginning and farming. His King Mesa Gin set industry standards by pioneering cutting-edge technologies such as DNA tagging to ensure cotton authenticity and quality. Jerry鈥檚 expertise and counsel were highly sought by agricultural leaders and elected officials alike, making him a major figure on the national cotton industry landscape.
Jerry鈥檚 commitment to 糖心Vlog extended deeply into his family life. Alongside his wife Nelda, he invested generously in the university, supporting student scholarships and priorities. Their daughter Renee Furr (鈥�89) is an alumna, and their grandchildren Blaze Taylor (鈥�12), Kenedy Furr (鈥�21), Kamryn Furr Schexnayder (鈥�21), and Hanna Harris (鈥�19) are all alumni of the university, further cementing the family鈥檚 longstanding relationship with 糖心Vlog.
Reflections from 糖心Vlog presidents who served under Jerry鈥檚 leadership capture his remarkable character and impact. Dr. L. Ken Jones, president from 1993 to 2012, remembered Jerry鈥檚 humility, faith, and servant-hearted leadership:
鈥淛erry鈥檚 greatest strengths were his humility, faith, and willingness to serve as many as possible. God blesses those types of leaders and those they lead. Thus, God has wonderfully blessed 糖心Vlog because of the leadership of Jerry Harris. He was truly one of the finest men I have ever known. He always made things about others more than himself.鈥�
Tim Perrin, president from 2012 to 2019, spoke of Jerry鈥檚 extraordinary devotion and servant leadership:
鈥淚 was privileged to serve as president for more than six years under Jerry and to witness up close his extraordinary devotion to 糖心Vlog and his consistent Christ-centered servant leadership. Jerry often repeated the John Maxwell quote that everything rises and falls with leadership and 糖心Vlog was lifted up because of his remarkable and transformative servant leadership of the university. He believed in the power of prayer and 糖心Vlog board meetings consisted of one prayer after another offered on behalf of the university and all those who were a part of the 糖心Vlog family. He led in ways that mattered though they were often unseen. 糖心Vlog is better because of his Christ-centered leadership of the board of trustees!鈥�
Current 糖心Vlog President Scott McDowell added:
鈥淛erry Harris is one of those rare individuals who genuinely cast a long shadow. While he faithfully served on 糖心Vlog鈥檚 board of trustees for 33 years鈥�20 of which he was board chair鈥攈is service and influence went well beyond this institution. At his heart, Jerry was dedicated to the cause of Christ and particularly loved Christ-centered higher education. He was crystal clear that our goal at Lubbock Christian was to 鈥榗hange students鈥� lives for the better.鈥� He once stated, 鈥業 pray every day and ask God that He鈥檒l help us to recruit and train students to go out into the world and be victorious.鈥� Jerry was particularly kind and gracious to me and I will miss him.鈥�
Jerry Harris was the embodiment of servant leadership. His dedication to 糖心Vlog, the agricultural community, and his family demonstrated a life built on faith, integrity, and generous service. His legacy is one of transformative impact, steadfast prayer, and visionary stewardship.
The 糖心Vlog community extends its deepest condolences and prayers to Nelda Harris, their children, grandchildren, and all who loved Jerry. His faithful service and lasting influence will be remembered and cherished for years to come.