It is with great sadness that the family of Joseph Wharton Harris announced his passing on July 2, 2026, at age 75, after a valiant struggle with prostate cancer.

(Joe) was born on March 18, 1951, in LA, CA to William H. and Margaret A. Harris (nee Doran) of Norristown, PA. As an infant Joe also lived briefly in Washington state and Oregon. The family returned to PA, but soon was on the move when Mr. Harris reentered the USAF as a 1st Lt. Over his young years Joe lived in Wethersfield, England, Cheyenne, WY, Dayton, OH, Ambler, PA, the Panama Canal Zone and Sherman, TX. He then went off to Culver Military Academy where he finished high school. Joe chose S.M.U. in Dallas, TX, for college, and graduated as a music major.

Music has been a great love of Joe's ever since he started playing saxophone in 6th grade. His major instrument was the flute, but he also played piano and sang with his bands and in the choir of the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church.

After college, Joe moved to NYC to "make it" in the music business. He came close, with his great band the Majors, but didn't quite get the big contract he'd hoped for. His band did play around NYC, and he had lots of interesting side lines - jingle singer, taxi driver and singing waiter. After 8 years in NYC, Joe relocated to El Paso, TX, to work for a lawyer friend as his Private Investigator. During these years, Joe also earned his Masters degree in Flute Performance at the U. of TX El Paso.

He then decided that being a lawyer would be a more interesting profession than PI, and despite his age of 43, he was accepted by Tulsa U. and earned his JD in 1996. Tulsa became his home when he met and married Karen Wood in 1998. In 2001 their beloved son William was born. Family has always been the most important thing in Joe's life.

As a single practitioner, Joe focused on family and criminal law, establishing a reputation as a fierce advocate for his clients. But highest dedication was to family and friends. His intelligence, warmth and sense of humor made him a treasured husband, father, friend and colleague.

A man of many, varied interests - playing and listening to music, reading, golf, chess, Scrabble and NYT crosswords, singing in his church choir, traveling with his family and visiting with his many friends.

Joe is survived by his wife, Karen (nee Wood), his son William, and his sister Barbara.

Services will be held at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, date and time to be announced.

May Joe rest in peace, knowing that he was loved beyond measure.