Sports and education were always major parts of Archie Lee Harris Sr.'s life.

The Richmond native had a 54-year career with the Richmond school system as a teacher and administrator as well as maintaining a lifelong passion for sports, first as a player, later as an official.

He often shared his knowledge of the sports he played, "taking the time to teach anyone who wanted to learn," said his son, Archie Lee Harris Jr. of Los Angeles.

Mr. Harris, who retired last fall as director of school plant services for the Richmond school system, died Wednesday at his home of congestive heart failure. He was 82.

He was a four-sport star at Armstrong High School, playing football, basketball, baseball and tennis. He went on to play football and basketball at Virginia State College, now Virginia State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education.

In 1954, Mr. Harris became one of the first black physical education teachers in Richmond. During his tenure, one of his students was Arthur Ashe Jr., who became the first black man to win the men's singles tennis title at Wimbledon, in 1975.

Mr. Harris also served as assistant principal at Fairmont Elementary School, principal at Whitcomb Court Elementary School and director of logistical services for the school system.

At the same time, he maintained a second career as a year-round basketball official. During his 48-year career as an official, he refereed in various conferences. He was a ref on the college level for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. He also was an official for Amateur Athletic Union games.

As an official, he never worried about what the fans, players or coaches might say if they disagreed with a call he made.

"He knew he was honest and fair," his son said. "He never sweated what others had to say."

Mr. Harris was inducted into the Virginia State University Hall of Fame in 1991 as well as the CIAA Hall of Fame.

But the legacy he leaves is as a man who was willing to give of himself, whether it was offering advice to someone needed it, giving money to someone or just simply being there for people, his son said.

In addition to his son, Mr. Harris' survivors include his wife of 48 years, Shirley Savage Harris of Richmond; a daughter, Kelly Cherise Harris-Braxton of Richmond; and a grandson.

A funeral will be held Tuesday at noon at First Baptist Church of South Richmond, 1501 Decatur St. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.