Joe Harris

Joe D Harris passed away on June 3, 2017. He was born on April 16, 1936 to Arthur D. Harris and Joyce Mabel Patten Harris. Joyce passed away the following day from complications of child birth. Joe was a small baby and in order to keep him warm, was kept in the warming oven in the coal stove. He was cared for by his sister Helen, an aunt, Leah Miller and his grandma, Polly Walker. Around age five, his dad married Mildred Greene who took care of Joe as her own.

Joe attended Peteetneet Grade School and Payson High. He worked for several farmers when he was young. Joe and a friend went to Arrowhead Swimming Pool where Joe saw a pretty young lady and told his friend, “Someday, I will marry that girl”. He did just that, on April 21, 1955 when he and Mary Atwood were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They have four children, MaryJo (Daniel) Cromwell, Jeffery Wayne Harris (deceased), Derrelene Harris and Clinton M. (Janice) Harris.

He worked for Geneva Steel for 37 years. Throughout the many shut downs or union strikes he worked wherever he could find employment; construction in Wyoming and Salt Lake City, Thiokol Chemical Corporation, West of Brigham City, Utah, and also U&I Sugar Company in Garland, Utah. While employed at U&I, Joe’s family moved to Tremonton, Utah and met the Robert (Sonny) and Koy Morris family. These two families became lasting friends. The children were all around the same age and grew up together. In 1964, the Morris family helped the Harris’ move back to West Mountain, Utah to Joe’s childhood home. Later Joe and Mary bought Mary’s parents farm in Leland, Utah.

Joe held several callings in the LDS church. He loved serving, helping friends, neighbors and was always willing to help a stranger. The Harris and Morris families stayed close friends. Robert (Sonny) Morris passed away in 1993 leaving Koy alone. In 2000 Mary Harris passed away, leaving Joe alone as well.

The longtime friendship soon turned to love. Joe and Koy were married then Joe made his home with Koy in Howell, Utah. Joe gained more children, Dennis A. (Susan) Morris, Larry A (Jennifer) Morris, Kendall A (Theresa) Morris, Cindy (Rex) Andersen, Bruce A (Rauna) Morris, and Lanette (Dean) Murray. This combined family consists of 22 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren on Joe’s side. Koy’s side includes 28 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. It makes quite a group when they all get together.

Joe leaves behind his second love Koy, the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that he loves and cares about very much. He is also survived by a brother; William (Bill) Harris, a sister-in-law; Marjorie Harris, three brothers-in-laws, LaMont (Ranae) Nessen, Lyle (Lois deceased) Nessen, Ron (Barbara) Taylor, and many other family members along with countless wonderful friends.

He was preceded in death by his first love, Mary Atwood Harris, sons Jeffery Wayne Harris and Jimmy A Morris, his parents and grandparents, a sister Helen, a brother Dale, one great grandson, Kyle Andersen, and two great granddaughters, Jessica and Amber Andersen.

A viewing will be held on Monday evening, June 12, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. at the Rogers & Taylor Funeral Home (111 N. 100 E., Tremonton, UT 84337).

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 1 p.m. at the Spanish Fork West Stake Center (575 W. 400 N., Spanish Fork, UT 84660). A viewing will be held at the church prior to the funeral service on Tuesday from 10:30-12:30 p.m.

Our sorrow was comforted by the knowledge of the joy and great celebration that greeted Joe on the other side. We would like to give many thanks to Hospice and other helpers for all their loving care.

In Lieu of flowers, please donate to your local LDS Missionary Fund.