Steven Harris

Steven Lynn Harris, age 71, of San Antonio, passed away in the mid-morning hours of Thursday, November 26, 2020 at his home, following a lengthy illness.  Steven was born on November 14, 1949 in Decatur, Illinois to the late Herschel Wilson and Helen Frances Schwab Harris.  Steven loved sports, especially baseball, and time he was able to spend with his older cousins.  Steven enjoyed music, he played the clarinet, and was an affectionate and giving young boy.

After high school, Steven joined the United States Air Force, where he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War.  After his time in the service, Steven began pursuing a career as a paramedic and fireman, having been only the third graduating class of the EMS school in Decatur, a career that would last 35 years.  Steven worked briefly in Decatur before traveling to Nikiski, Alaska where he helped to begin the fire department there.  Soon, Steven settled in the Converse area and began his career with the Converse Fire Department.

Steven specialized in HazMat; he eventually became a proofreader for national EMS textbooks.  Throughout his career, Steven was an advocate for fire safety and took his duties as a paramedic to heart.  He served as a volunteer on the Converse Fire Department until eventually he became the second paid member of the department.  He also served as paramedic at Retama Park, where one fateful day, Steven saved the life of a jockey who had a horse fall on her head, without Steven, she likely would not have survived.  Steven was a diligent writer who took pride in writing requests for grants, which earned his station numerous pieces of equipment they needed to operate.  After earning his way to Assistant Chief, and a brief period as Interim Chief, Steven retired on September 30, 2005.

On June 21, 2003, Steven married Janet Ann Watson, at the pavilion on Station Street in Converse.  After years of friendship, and more shenanigans that one could count, Steven and Janet began a life together that would see more memories made, and stories written than Janet could have ever dreamed.

Those who knew Steven best will remember a lifetime of stories – some included black cat fireworks and other pranks in the firehouse, to Stevens dedication to his family, friends and profession.  His whit and charm were second to none and his ability to make a joke of anything will be missed by all who knew him.

Steven is survived by his wife, Janet; son , Kevin Lynn Harris, and wife Janie, of McAllen, Texas; step children, Marcus Daniel Aguilar and Natalie Ann Traver, and husband Robert; sister, Sharon “Sherry” Lee McIver; grandchildren, Adaline Lee Harris, Zachary Harris, and Noah Christian Harris; step-granddaughter, Anastasia Rose Aguilar; niece, Stephanie Frisse, and husband Daniel; and by a host of other relatives and very special friends.

Memorial services for Steven Harris will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, December 4, 2020 at Chapel Hill Memorial Park with Deacon Joe Avila officiating.