Throwback Tulsa: Booker T. Washington legendary coach Nate Harris honored at memorial service two years ago
For many of those who experienced the Nate Harris memorial service two years ago today, their everyday associations with the coach might have lasted for four years or maybe through the 25-year entirety of his greatness at Booker T. Washington.
At 72, Harris passed away April 30, 2019.
Harris is known for having been one of the more prominent high school coaches in Oklahoma history, and his body of work resulted in getting his name on the field house of his alma mater.
Harris’ service occurred, of course, on the game floor of BTW’s Nathan E. Harris Field House.
The audience included some of the giants of Booker T. Washington and Tulsa basketball. Harris-coached Hornets Etan Thomas, Ryan Humphrey, Melvin Gilliam and Arthur Thomas were there.
The service ended perfectly — with a performance from members of the BTW marching band.
Nate Harris Memorial
Lemmel "Red" Fields hugs a fellow attendee of the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Mourners gather for the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at his namesake gym, the Nathan E. Harris field house at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
A woman lifts her hand and sings along as a choir does a rendition of the hymn "Order My Steps" during the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Mourners gather for the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at his namesake gym, the Nathan E. Harris field house at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Lemmel "Red" Fields, a friend of Mr. Harris, speaks during the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Dr. Arthur Williams II, a longtime friend of Mr. Harris, speaks during the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Nathan Harris's wife, Sandra (center) looks on as Arthur Williams II speaks during the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Two men speak to each other during the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Dr. Arthur Williams II, a longtime friend of Mr. Harris, speaks during the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Mourners gather for the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at his namesake gym, the Nathan E. Harris field house at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Dr. Arthur Williams II speaks during Nate Harris’ memorial on Saturday. JOSEPH RUSHMORE/for the Tulsa World
Nate Harris Memorial
A Booker T. Washington Alumni stands during the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Mourners gather for the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at his namesake gym, the Nathan E. Harris field house at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
A choir sings the hymn "Order My Steps" during the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
A man bows his head in prayer during the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at his namesake gym, the Nathan E. Harris field house at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
A choir sings the hymn "Order My Steps" during the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Etan Thomas, a talented big man on two B.T. Washington championship teams, was among the Nate Harris-coached Hornets who attended Harris’ memorial service. JOSEPH RUSHMORE/for the Tulsa World
Nate Harris Memorial
A woman lifts her hand and sings along as a choir does a rendition of the hymn "Order My Steps" during the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Mourners gather for the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at his namesake gym, the Nathan E. Harris field house at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Nate Harris Memorial
Mourners gather for the memorial service of basketball coaching legend Nathan E. "Nate" Harris at his namesake gym, the Nathan E. Harris field house at Booker T. Washington High School on May 11, 2019. JOSEPH RUSHMORE for Tulsa World.
Get your tickets to the 2019 All-World Awards dinner
Featured video
Get your All-World Awards tickets for the June 22 event celebrating high school athletics at allworldawards.com.
Anyone is fortunate to have a best-friend figure. Harris and Williams II had that for 63 years.