December 21, 1961 – December 25, 2025

Obituary of James T Harris

IN THE CARE OF

Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home & Cemetery

In Loving Memory of James T. Harris

December 21, 1961 – December 25, 2025

There are souls who arrive in this world already carrying light, and when they leave, that light does not disappear—it simply changes form. James T. Harris was one of those souls. He passed from this life on December 25, 2025, surrounded by love, at the age of 64—gone far too soon, yet having given more love in his lifetime than many give in a century.

James was a man who loved deeply, sincerely, and without reservation. He was the most devoted and adoring husband to his wife, Maricela, and the most loyal, proud, and loving father to his sons, Jake (wife Victoria) and Matthew (fiancée Maddy). His family was his greatest joy and his proudest accomplishment. He spoke of them constantly, his love for them woven into every conversation, every smile, and every plan for the future. James was the cornerstone of his family, their steady presence, their safe place, their home.

He is reunited in eternal peace with his cherished parents, Charles (Poppie) and LaVan (Vanna) Harris of Austin, TX, his grandparents, David and Rubye Roe of Teague, TX, and J.T. and Gladys Harris of Andrews, TX, and many other loved ones who went before him.

Kevin Kebodeaux

Friend

01/05/2026

James was a great guy and will really be missed. When I was a freshman at UT, he was a senior and he became a mentor and friend, and was always incredibly kind and helpful to me. I’m glad to see he lived such a good life and I’m so sorry for your loss.

He is survived by his wife, Maricela of Austin, TX; their sons, Jake (wife Victoria) of Round Rock, TX, and Matthew (fiancée Maddy) of Liberty Hill, TX; and his brother, Chuck (wife Carrie) of Palestine, TX. He is also survived by his sister, Susan of Pflugerville, TX; his nephews, Kyle of Palestine, TX, and J.D. (wife Amber) of Austin, TX; his niece, Marisha Alford of Medina, TX and two great-nephews, Jaylen and Eric Alford of Medina, TX; and many cousins, extended family members, and countless friends whose lives were forever changed by his presence.

James was a teacher, a mentor, and a gifted healer who knew early in life that physical therapy was his calling. In 2004, he co-founded Austin Manual Therapy Associates, fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning his own clinic. Even more meaningful was seeing another dream realized—working alongside his family in the clinic he loved so dearly. To James, physical therapy was never just a profession; it was a healing art. His patients often spoke of the power of his healing touch and the deeply compassionate care he brought to each session. Healing, through James, extended beyond the body and mind and reached the heart with intuitive grace.

Photo below James is middle row 8th from the left

James Harris was a Texas Longhorns baseball player, and he played a meaningful role on two of the most iconic teams in program history. He pitched for Texas in the mid‑1980s and was part of the 1983 National Championship team.

– Listed on the 1983 Texas Longhorns roster as Pitcher #17.

– Teammates included Roger Clemens, Calvin Schiraldi, Bruce Ruffin, Mike Capel, and Billy Bates — one of the most talent‑dense rosters in UT history.

– Harris was a member of the 1983 College World Series Championship team, which defeated Alabama in the title game.

– This team is widely considered one of the greatest in Texas baseball history.

– Born in 1961, he passed away in 2025 at age 64.

James was also known for giving the very best and endearing hugs—because they came straight from the heart. He was attentive, kind, and intentional in caring for others. He was also unapologetically himself, endearingly human in his habits—locking the car three times, being intentionally verbose or loquacious, and rotating through favorite snack indulgences. Every beautiful strength and every small peculiarity made him who he was, and made him all the more beloved.

My deepest sympathies to Maricela and the boys. I got to spend some time with James when I needed some physical therapy. He was so easy to talk to and helped me feel comfortable being there. He always had a smile on his face and always said hello. And of course we loved to talk U.T. I would have rather just hang out than do my exercises. His kindness was truly genuine. I’m glad I was able to meet him and share in his light. God be with you! Tonia Swartz

One of the greatest sorrows of losing James is losing the very person who would be doing everything in his power to comfort everyone else through this loss. An enduring light has left this world, but in its place remains a legacy of love, belief, healing, and connection that will ripple through generations. His impact cannot be measured, only felt.

To know James was to witness grace in action. He moved through the world with a heart of gold and a rare, intuitive warmth, making everyone he met feel profoundly seen and deeply loved. His presence left an indelible mark on our souls, rooted in a spiritual compassion that turned ordinary moments into sacred reminders of our own worth. Those fortunate enough to know him would tell you there was no one who believed in them more; even when someone could not believe in themselves, James believed enough for both. Through his infectious humor and his ability to find light in any shadow, he lived with a generous spirit that mended hearts as much as minds. James leaves behind a legacy of unwavering belief and a warmth that continues to guide all who were touched by his light.

01/09/2026

James was a truly special, unique, and compassionate soul. As a mentor to me 20 years ago, he left an indelible mark on my life, and he will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, my friend. Arthur Hastings

As we gather to remember James, we do not say goodbye—we say thank you. Thank you for the love you gave so freely, the faith you had in all of us, and the way you taught us to heal, to believe, and to love more fully.

“Do not pity the dead. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.”

There is no one who lived with more love than James Harris. His spirit endures, his love remains, and his light will continue to guide us until we meet again.

Rest in eternal peace, James/Dad/little brother/dear friend you will forever be our guiding light.

A Celebration of Life honoring James will be held on

January 9, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

at Cook-Walden / Capital Parks Funeral Home

14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660

Brandi Smith

Colleague

01/08/2026

I was 16 when I first met James.

He was my mentor during my physical therapy clinical internship in high school, and it was through my experience with James that my calling to become a physical therapist was formed.

I grew up in a small town in Texas—Smithville. One of our best running backs, a college hopeful, was hit by a drunk driver one night, requiring 14 surgeries on one leg and 12 on the other. Doctors told him he would never walk again.

I watched James meet him exactly where he was. He didn’t just treat injuries—he had deep compassion for the loss my friend was facing: the loss of the sport he loved, the loss of a lifelong dream, and the mental anguish that followed. Session by session, James worked through this with him, motivating him daily with steps that may have seemed small, but always moved him forward.

Eventually, James got approval to bring his personal Olympic lifting station into the clinic. We set it up and began lifting weights, which brought immense joy back into this former football player’s life.

Then something magical happened.

What started as electrical stimulation, leg lifts, and curls turned into standing… then squatting.

Then came the miracle.

One day, when the former football player least expected it, James said,

“I think today we’ll walk.”

I will never forget that day. With tears in his eyes—and in James’ and mine—I watched him stand and walk. He had been told he never would, and at times he believed it. But over time, James wore down doubt until belief was the only option left.

Years later, I was eating at a local barbecue place when a big guy walked toward me with tears in his eyes. It was him. He shared that he owned his own house-painting company, climbed ladders, worked on roofs, and even ran with his kids.

James changed both of our lives that day.

From that moment on, I knew physical therapy was where God wanted me.

James and I crossed paths many times through PT school and our fellowship years. The greatest lessons he tau