Jerome K. Harris Jr. was born on June 26, 1931, in San Antonio, Texas, to
Jerome K. Harris Sr., originator of the idea for
Hemisfair '68, and Gertrude Louise Harris. His sister was Marjory Jean Harris. He overcame significant early challenges, being the sole survivor among four children at
Alamo Heights High School who contracted polio at the time. == Career and civic engagement ==