Raymond P. Harris

Raymond Harris, a loving father and devoted husband, passed away peacefully on August 28th in Los Angeles, CA, after a long illness. Raymond leaves behind a rich legacy as a successful music industry executive, connoisseur of fine food and wine, collector of antiques, student of the Torah, political debater, lover of classic movies and baseball, and a cherished grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Jeanette; his daughter, Cassandra of Darien, CT, and her partner, Marvin Minkler III; his treasured grandchildren, Finley and Sonnet Hegarty; his former son-in-law, Ray Hegarty; his sister, Cynthia Barrett of Lafayette, LA, and her daughter, Elizabeth (Cricket) Gallet, and her husband, Eddie; his sister, Brenda Harris of Dallas, TX; and his brother, Douglas Harris, and his wife, Margaret, of Metairie, LA. He was predeceased by his brother, Norman, and his parents, Perla and Demund. Raymond also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, close friends, and two grand-dogs, Cali and Dixie. Born in 1936 and raised in New Orleans, Raymond attended Warren Easton High School, where he excelled as a basketball player. He went on to study at Tulane University and Louisiana State University before moving to New York City in the early 1950s to pursue a career in entertainment. Raymond later returned home and joined the Air Force, proudly serving as a sergeant in the Reserves. Raymond’s career in the music industry spanned decades. He began at Capitol Records in promotions, where he met Jeanette. The couple eventually moved to Atlanta and then Los Angeles, where Raymond took on an executive role. He later launched his own record label, American Variety International (AVI), in partnership with talent manager Seymour Heller and producer-songwriter Ed Cobb. Together, they worked with major recording artists including Liberace, The Standells, and Soft Cell, and they owned renowned recording studios that produced some of the greatest songs ever recorded. In the 1990s, Raymond sold the company but continued to work in publishing and recording through his latest venture, S Cargo Music. Raymond’s love of food and wine took him all over the world, where he forged lasting relationships with renowned chefs and winemakers. He was famous for his dinner parties and his ability to whip up a delicious meal at a moment’s notice. Known for his quick wit, infectious drive, and unwavering positivity, Raymond had an innate desire to succeed and inspire others to do the same. He was stubborn, thoughtful, passionate, and demanding, always encouraging those around him to be the best version of themselves. He never said no to a trip to the grocery store, a glass of champagne, or an Angels game. Raymond was a provider, a mentor, and a storyteller, leaving an indelible mark on the world. It will be a quieter place without him. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the ALS Association https://www.als.org/?campaign=487487 or to Temple Adat Elohimhttps://www.adatelohim.org