Charles B . Harris – Firm Patriarch By Paul D . Bradford
Harris , Finley & Bogle , P . C . lost its patriarch and the foundation of the firm ’ s culture when Charles B . Harris passed away on July 24 , 2018 , one month and one day after his 90 th birthday .
Charlie and Dee Finley , Jr . co-founded the firm of Harris & Finley in 1977 . During the ensuing 41 years , the firm would grow into one of the largest in Fort Worth and would add an office in Weatherford in 2017 .
Charlie loved the practice of law , practicing for over 60 years and continuing to work until his death . Charlie was a wellknown and highly-respected oil and gas lawyer with a knack for solving disputes . He was board certified in Oil , Gas and Mineral Law and served as Chairman of the Oil , Gas and Mineral Law Section of the State Bar and on the Oil and Gas Advisory Commission of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the Texas Title Standards Joint Editorial Board .
Charlie spent countless hours mentoring young lawyers at the firm and as an Adjunct Professor at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law . Charlie ’ s alwayspositive demeanor , likeability , and high ethical standards earned him the prestigious 1996 Blackstone Award from the Tarrant County Bar Association in recognition of his “ consistent ability , integrity and courage as a lawyer .”
Until shortly before his death , Charlie continued to keep office hours and remained a great personal and professional influence on the firm , its lawyers , and its clients . Charlie was also proud of the firm ’ s opening of its Weatherford office in 2017 . Charlie and Mac Smith took an instant liking to each other and shared the mutual respect and admiration befitting their distinguished careers and reputations for professionalism and excellence . It was always in Charlie ’ s nature to support the firm ’ s endeavors and fully welcome new members of the HFB team .
Charlie was born on June 23 , 1928 , in Georgetown , Texas . In 1945 , Charlie finished high school and left to become a 16-year-old freshman at Texas A & M . While a senior at A & M , he met a pretty redhead from Austin , Clarolyn Frances Cramer . He and Clarolyn were married in 1949 , two weeks after he finished A & M . During their 69 years of marriage , they had three children and one grandchild .
After graduation from A & M , Charlie was an Army Aviator , flying artillery spotter planes in the Korean War , serving six years on active duty and an additional 18 years in the Army Reserve , and achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel . After his active duty , Charlie graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 1957 .
Charlie had many interests - flying airplanes , the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association , Aggie football , traveling the interior of Mexico , painting , backyard grilling , and playing 42 .
Charles B . Harris
He spent his life learning and often said books were some of his best friends . History books were his favorites .
Although originally from Georgetown , Charlie found another home in Fort Worth and also at his ranch in Erath County , near the Exray Cemetery . Charlie and Clarolyn enjoyed many weekends at their ranch tending to cattle or simply passing time on their front porch , with Charlie often telling one of his many stories .
Our firm lost Charlie Harris ( and Mrs . Harris ), Dee Finley , and Bill Bogle in just 11 months , and we miss Charlie and each of them deeply . All of us at Harris , Finley & Bogle are honored to have worked with Charlie , Dee , and Bill .
Paul Bradford has practiced law with Harris , Finley & Bogle , P . C . since 1989 and had the privilege of being mentored by Charlie Harris for almost 30 years .
SEPTEMBER 2018 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
11