Memorials › Jess Vance Harris
Jess Vance Harris
15 Jul 1891 – 5 Apr 1971
| Birth | 15 Jul 1891 |
| Death | 5 Apr 1971 |
| Cemetery | Rose Hill Burial Park Oklahoma City , Oklahoma County , Oklahoma , USA |
| Added by | Stories Among The Stones on 22 May 2021 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/227446344 |
Bio
Jess Vance Harris was born on 15 July 1891 in Rogers, Texas, and grew up during a period when the American oil industry was still young and undefined. He entered the petroleum world in the fields of Hughes and Seminole counties, at a time when Oklahoma was emerging as one of the most productive regions in the country. Harris became a landman, a role that demanded keen judgment, strong negotiation skills, and a deep knowledge of both the law and the practical realities of drilling. His work involved securing the leases that made exploration possible, and from the beginning he earned a reputation for accuracy, honesty, and steady character. As the industry expanded, Harris extended his activities into Texas and soon became known across the Midcontinent for his ability to assemble large lease blocks and interpret complex land situations. He entered a long and successful partnership with Thomas Nix, and together they leased millions of acres for clients ranging from major companies to independent operators. Their work placed them at the center of many of the most active oil plays of the early and mid twentieth century. Harris also took part in drilling ventures of his own, giving him an understanding of the risks and rewards that shaped the business. His firm became so respected that companies seeking to train new hires often sent them to Harris for instruction. Young landmen learned not only the technical parts of the profession but also the importance of integrity, record keeping, and clear communication. In an industry that could be rough and competitive, the Harris standard of conduct became something of a benchmark. His influence helped guide generations of men and women who worked in leasing, title work, and mineral ownership across the Midcontinent region. Harris helped establish the Oklahoma City Association of Petroleum Landmen and supported efforts to bring professionalism and cooperation to a field that had long relied on individual negotiation and field experience. In later years the organization created the Jess Harris Memorial Golf Tournament to raise funds for charity and to honor the generosity and leadership he had shown throughout his life. The event became a symbol of the respect in which he was held by those who worked beside him. In the twentieth century, Hart Publications named Jess Harris one of the one hundred most influential people in the entire petroleum industry, a list that included figures such as John D. Rockefeller and Winston Churchill. His inclusion reflected both the scale of his work and the example he set. For more than seventy years his firm maintained a reputation for reliability and professional excellence that was unmatched in its field. Jess Vance Harris died on 5 April 1971 in Oklahoma City at the age of seventy nine and was laid to rest at Rose Hill Burial Park. He was remembered as a pioneer landman whose influence shaped the modern profession, a trusted advisor to companies large and small, and a man whose personal integrity left a lasting mark on the petroleum history of Oklahoma and the Midcontinent. Bio by: Stories Among The Stones
Photos
Family
Parents
Spouse
Siblings
- Logan Harris 1873–1904
- Jane Harris Shipp 1875–1961
- Harriett E. Harris Ashcraft 1876–1969
- John Harris 1878–1899
- Minnie Louise Harris Robertson 1879–1966
- Ona Harris Latham 1882–1944
- Callie Harris Mays 1884–1955
- Robert Harris 1889–1906
- Roy Harris 1891–1892
- Margaret Harris Garvin 1893–1986
Children
- Carmen A. Harris Bartlett 1912–1966 FaG
- Imogene Iris Harris Heritage 1914–2006 FaG
- Jess Vance Harris Jr 1919–2020 FaG
Export GEDCOM
This person only · Entire connected family