Randy Harris, Protel Systems & Supplies Inc. co-owner and vice president of installation and service, died April 25 at CoxHealth due to complications from heart surgery. He was 58.
Harris, a Springfield resident and Mansfield native, worked at the telecommunications company for more than 25 years, and in 2008 , he
purchased Protel along with business partners Bruce Jones and Shane Taylor from founder Steve Thompson.
"Randy was a very good trainer and leader for our technical staff for quite a few years," Jones said. "He has been instrumental in the growth of Protel in the 28 years we've been in business."
Jones and Taylor now serve as co-owners of the business, according to Sheila Johnson, Protel service manager.
"We're making quite a few necessary adjustments and looking forward to continuing the success that Randy has been instrumental in creating," Jones said.
Jones added that on a personal level, Harris was a close friend and "will be severely missed by myself and all of the Protel family."
Harris was a leading telecommunications specialist within Protel, which installs and services commercial communication equipment.
Most recently, Harris and his technicians were contracted to install networking cabling at Hilton Garden Inn, CoxHealth's emergency room and Missouri State University's JQH Arena. He also was instrumental in several projects throughout his service with Protel for Bass Pro Shops, the city of Springfield and the state of Missouri, coordinating networking cabling of school buildings, the Springfield-Branson National Airport and others.
According to a news release, Harris' motto was "do it right the first time," an ideal that will continue to be utilized at Protel, officials said.
Founded in 1982, Protel Systems was a finalist in Springfield Business Journal's
2010 Economic Impact Awards.
Harris is survived by his wife, Pam Harris; his son, Joey Harris, and his wife, Kendra; two grandchildren, Chase and Carly Harris; a sister, Sheila Matlock and her husband, Richard; and a number of other relatives, according to his obituary posted
online at Holman Howe Funeral Homes.
Harris' funeral was held April 27 in the Holman-Howe Chapel in Mansfield.[[In-content Ad]]
