If you or your kids played Optimist t-ball or coach pitch in the last twenty-five years, you have seen Milton Harris

The 71 year old Lifetime Optimist Club member passed away Tuesday March 3rd at Kindred Hospital of Greensboro.

Harris, a former JP Stevens employee, construction worker, retired from the City of Roanoke Rapids Public Works Department as a mechanic and up to his death, managed the Roanoke Valley Farmers Market.

Harris joined the Optimist Club in 1988 and was very active in club projects until his health slowed him down stated Optimist President Carey Foster. He chaired the concession stand for t-ball, coach pitch and pitching machine and other activities for about 25 years. Harris coached t-ball at one point, then moved on to the  concession stand supporting the kids, so one of the field's concession stands is where you would find him.

Former Optimist President David Cieslinski stated, " Milton was a true ambassador for any kid in the Roanoke Valley, that was his mission in life. He was one of the people you could count on to help. Cieslinski added, " I have never worked beside a man that cared for the youth of our community more than Milton Harris did. I am heartbroken that he has passed.

Both Foster and Cieslinski stated, He loved and was loved by the kids. He lived up to the Optimist Club motto "FRIEND OF YOUTH. Harris was voted "Optimist of the year" for the club several times and was awarded a lifetime membership.

Myself was a neighbor of Mr. Harris for about a year & for my past fifteen hears photographing the youth sports, I have enjoyed our friendship and conversations. Harris was fast to offer me advice on concession stand does and don'ts during my years as the Roanoke Valley Girls softball President. I concur with everyone that I have spoken to, "I am shocked and Milton will be missed."

There will be a service Friday March 27th at 11:00 AM in the cemetery of Hawkins Chapel United Methodist Church located at 6955 Hwy 48 Roanoke Rapids.