Allyn Reuben Harris

Allyn Reuben Harris, 81, passed away on October 24, 2026. He was born on November 19, 1944, in Corsicana, Texas, and went on to graduate from Corsicana High School in 1963. After playing baseball for one year at Navarro College, he continued his education at the University of Texas at Austin and later earned his Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University. That decision shaped more than his career— it ultimately led him to meet the woman with whom he would share 57 years of marriage, Mary Rogers Harris.

His healthcare career took their growing family from Corpus Christi to Palm Springs, Baytown, Albany, Terre Haute and Nashville, but after moving to Plano in 1979, they found the place they would forever call home. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, he spent his career serving healthcare organizations and his community with integrity, leadership and compassion. As CEO, Allyn led an extraordinary team of employees and physicians in building Plano General Hospital into what has become Medical City Plano.

Plano benefited greatly from that commitment. He was active with Christ United Methodist Church, Rotary, the Plano Chamber of Commerce and numerous other civic organizations and was a co-founder of Leadership Plano. Whether coaching youth sports, driving the church bus, serving on the “pew crew”, delivering Meals on Wheels or simply lending a hand when one was needed, service was never something he talked about—it was something he did.

But his greatest legacy was his family. He was a devoted husband, father to three children and an enormously proud grandfather to seven grandchildren. He loved watching them compete in sports, perform on stages and sidelines, and grow into accomplished young adults, and most importantly to him, good people. Family adventures became part of his trademark: Disney cruises, national parks, the Canadian Rockies, Turks and Caicos, Big Cedar Lodge and countless other trips created a lifetime of memories for the entire family.

Diagnosed with MDS in March 2023, he faced the final chapter of his life with remarkable courage and grace. He chose quality of life over simply quantity of days, continuing to live fully, always expressing gratitude to his physicians, nurses and caregivers all the way to the end. One physician called Allyn one of her favorite patients-–a sentiment that would surprise no one who knew him.

Allyn was preceded in death by his parents, R.I. and Blanche Harris. He is survived by his wife Mary, son Greg (Tisha), daughter Allyson (Chris) and son Ben (Abby) and his beloved grandchildren, Brooke and Kate Harris, Cally, Collin and Ella Cook, and Lainey and Walker Harris. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and a sister-in-law. Allyn leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured by career achievements or years lived.

There will be a celebration of Allyn’s life at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Christ United Methodist Church, Plano, Texas.

Allyn will be laid to rest at the Christ United Methodist Church columbarium.