Gordon Harris

My Life Story April 27th, Thursday, Gordon Harris peacefully passed on to greener pastures, at home, as he always wished. He left this life as he lived it, with dignity, grace and knowing he was beloved. Gordon was born October 1, 1927 in Scenic, South Dakota to Miciah Monroe and Mary Elizabeth Harris. After school Gordon joined the U.S. Coast Guard serving as Radar Man 3rd Class on the USS Grand Rapids, out of Norfolk, VA. He was in New York City when victory was declared over Germany. He said the celebration in New York was unbelievable! Restaurants and bars threw their doors open and if you wore a uniform, food and drinks were free. Gordon returned to Rapid City, South Dakota and started his own logging business. He met Mary Angela Reinhart at the VFW Hall in Rapid City and proposed to her a week later. After the wedding in 1950, the young couple moved to various states for work, including Salmon, Idaho, where their son, Kim, was born. They moved to the Bay Area in California, with a promise of better pay. Lori, Jeff and Missy were born during this time. They moved back to Boise, Idaho where Mac was born. They purchased 30 acres of farmland in Meridian, off Eagle Road and began building the log home that still stands and where he and Mary raised five rambunctious kids who were always running around after the family pets and cows and climbing all over the haystacks or swimming in the canal; and where he raised cattle and grew alfalfa. Gordon was a Journeyman Printer by trade and also did custom baling and swathing on the side. He was also a self-taught master mechanic, repairing all of the vehicles and equipment on the ranch. Gordon and Mary were devout Catholics and were always involved in church activities. The word “No” was not in Gordon’s vocabulary. If you needed help in anyway, you came to Gordon. Dad worked hard but he knew when to kick back and enjoy a whiskey or a beer with his friends and family. Gordon and Mary took their kids on many camping trips all over Idaho, the beaches of California and Oregon; as well as a wonderful trip to Canada where Mary’s family resided. Upon retiring, Gordon and Mary traveled around the country for years in their motor home, often coming home tanned and 10 years younger. Mary Angela passed away in 2012, after 63 years of marriage, leaving Gordon bereft. He continued to work with his son, Mac Harris, walk every day to Gordon Harris Park and read every book and newspaper he could get his hands on. Being very involved in Kiwanis and helping to build Gordon Harris Park were just two of his many accomplishments in the Meridian community. He loved us, his grandkids and great-grandkids. Sitting around the kitchen counter with Mom and Dad was the best place you could be if you ever needed to talk about a problem or an idea. Dad was the most welcoming person to everyone he ever met. Words cannot express how much he will be missed, how much our memories with him will be celebrated and cherished. Gordon is survived by his children: son, Kim Harris (Arline), daughter, Lori Thompson (Mike), daughter, Melissa Harris, and son, Mac Harris; grandchildren: Juli Wheelock (Scott, Hawke and Asher), Jon Harris, Jessica Riebow (Orin and Chelsea Eller) Nicholas Thompson (Mandy, Drake, Porter and Lincoln), Jeff Giesler and Lauren Benda, Cassandra Harris and Cecelia Harris; sisters: Sue Upshaw, Madeline Tuning and Renee’ Del Chiaro; brother, Jack Harris; beloved brother-in-law, Denis Gaulin of Canada. Several nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Angela; sons: Timothy Harris and Jeffrey Harris; sisters: Margaret and Betty; brothers: Harold, Richard, Donald, Ted, James, Lester, Jesse and Roger. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 8th at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 6300 N. Meridian Road, Meridian. Graveside committal services will be at Meridian Cemetery. After the graveside service please join the family at the Ranch to celebrate one Really Great Man, Son, Brother, Husband, Father and Friend. Remembrances may be left online for the family at www.AccentFuneral.com.