Milo Archer Harris, age 90, Joplin, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Freeman Hospital.
Milo was born June 13, 1929, in Joplin to the late Osie E. Harris and Flora (Archer) Harris.
In 1947 Milo graduated from Joplin High School, where he was editor of the Spyglass newspaper, attended Missouri Boys State and was a member of the National Honor Society. In three separate creative writing contests, sponsored by International Quill and Scroll (student journalistic society) he won first place in South Central States, seventh in the United States and fourth in the United States.
In 1949, from Joplin Junior College, Milo received his Associates Degree in pre-journalism. He was editor of both the Chart newspaper and the Crossroads yearbook. He was vice-president of the student senate and was voted “Most Versatile Student” by the student body. Milo received the state Elks Club award for 1948 as “Missouri’s Most Valuable Student.”
Milo received a Bachelor’s Degree in speech and English from the University of Tulsa in 1951, and a Master’s Degree in history and political science from present day Pittsburg State University, Kansas in 1952.
From 1952 to 1956 Milo was an information specialist in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at bases in Wichita, Kansas, Chateauroux, France and Washington D.C.
As an impressionist in the novelty category, he was the second place winner in the 1955 USAF worldwide talent contests, winning five levels of competition in Europe and the United States.
On July 31, 1955 Milo appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. The CBS show was, at the time, the most popular show on television. Milo’s act was one of only two chosen to be filmed for worldwide distribution by Armed Forces Screen Magazine. Contest winners were assigned to the Tops in Blue talent troupe which then toured United Stated Armed Forces bases throughout the world.
After his military service, Milo lived in California for seven years where he worked for NBC. He returned to Joplin due to the illness of his mother. While he cared for her he taught English one year and World History for 29 years at Joplin and Parkwood High Schools.
Milo will be missed by family and friends for his intelligence, many talents, honesty, generosity, unique sense of humor and amazing memory.
Survivors include his niece, Terry Lynn Turner and husband Rick, Joplin, Missouri and several extended family members.
In addition to his parents, Milo was preceded in death by a brother, Troy Harris; nephews, Michael Harris, Stephen Harris, Dennis Harris; three aunts and one uncle.
A Funeral Service is planned for Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary Chapel, interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until service time.
Arrangements are under the direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary.
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