Robert Michael "Mike" Harris, 82, passed away Sunday, October 16, 2022 in Evansville, IN. He was born October 1, 1940 in Owensboro KY to Robert T. Harris and Evelyn [Croughan] Harris.

His early years were spent in Grayville, IL before his family moved to Olney, IL. He attended East Richland High School in Olney. He then attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1966 as one of the first graduates of the new Petroleum Land Management program. Mike began his lifelong career in oil exploration with Phillips Petroleum before founding his own oil and gas exploration company, Harris Oil Company, in Olney, IL. Mike's company was at the cutting edge of petroleum exploration technology, being one of the first in the Midwest to utilize 3-D seismic technology to great success.

He loved playing tennis and was very active in the Olney tennis community. In 1999, he moved his company to Evansville, IN where he met his long-time partner, Alicia Dian Moore. In 2004, their daughter and the light of his life, Alexandra Elisabeth Harris, was born. Mike also founded Harris Energy Company which he operated, with the assistance of his office manager, Jill Mattingly, until 2020.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Evelyn Harris; his brother-in-law, David Potter; and his nephew, Craig Harris.

He is survived by his partner, Alicia Moore and their daughter Alexandra Harris; his four sisters: Katie Potter of Olney, IL; Janet Sitarz [Dan] of Carbondale, IL; Deborah Harris of Congerville, IL; and Martha Harris of Kirkwood, MO; and nieces and nephews: Michael Potter [Carol]; Brad Potter [Meliha]; Greg Potter [Lori]; Robert Martin; Kate Martin; Justin SItarz [Aleza]; Jessica Sitarz [Matthew], and Brett Harris, as well as grand-nieces and -nephews Evan and Josie Potter, Lea and Evie Potter, Feivel and Shoshana Sitarz and Sienna Potter.

Services at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney, IL.