Richard Allen Harris

Richard Allen 'Rick' Harris, 66, of Missoula, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes Thursday, March 19, 2015, at his home in Missoula.

Rick was born on Sept. 5, 1948, the second of seven children, to Theodore A. Harris and Anna Mae Storm Harris. He grew up on a series of farming operations in south central Montana, owned and operated by his parents. At the age of 19 he spent the summer driving for a commercial combining company starting in Oklahoma and ending all the way north in Saskatchewan, Canada.

At the age of 20, Rick moved to Missoula where he worked at Evans products for several years. During this time he met his first wife, Marsha Day. Together they had a son, Stacy in the summer of 1971. Although their marriage ended, Rick and Marsha remained friends over the years. In his 30s, 40s and 50s he maintained a long career in two different furniture manufacturing companies in Missoula and during the last years of his life he worked as a custodian for the Missoula County Public Schools.

Rick was an avid fisherman and deer hunter who enjoyed the outdoors. When not fishing, he could be found riding his motorcycle, spending time with friends or reading at home. He was proud of his family and was always available to lend a sympathetic ear, offer advice and share a funny story – you always left feeling better than when you arrived. He lived a simple life according to his own rules and never wanted for more than he had. He measured his wealth in relationships and in that, he lived a rich life.

Rick was married and divorced two other times and was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore A. Harris and Anna Mae Storm Sullivan and his brother, Gary Harris.

He is survived by his son Stacy (Rhonda) Harris of Florence; grandchildren, Ashley Heidrick of Missoula and Seth Harris of Florence; great-grandchildren, Madison Shafer and Lexington Smith; stepmom Ruby Gowan Harris of Missoula; brothers, Sidney Harris of British Columbia, Canada, Ron Harris of Port Orchard, Washington, and Leland Harris of Missoula; sisters, Marianne (John) Largent of Ronan and Cindy Olson of Polson; and 15 nieces and nephews.

A memorial and celebration of Rick's life will be held on Saturday, April 4, at 2 p.m. at the Garden City Funeral Home.

Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory.

Life is not ideal and the road is seldom smooth, but it is safe to say that the lives of his family and friends have been greatly enriched by a man who lived a long and often hard life with unwavering independence and dignity.
Read Richard Harris's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.