Edward Frank Harris

Our Dad, brother, Papa, and friend, Ed Harris made his final toast before going to be with our Lord on Saturday, June 6th. The evening before he passed was a night filled with family and friends and love and laughter. He left us way too soon, but we know that he died a happy man. Edward Frank Harris was born August 13, 1939 to Dr. Edward Earl and Adeline Harris in Yreka, CA. He joined sisters, Adria, Lucy, Susan, Katherine (KK) and was later joined by Margaret (Maggie). The family lived at 624 Lane Street until 1945 when they moved to the family home at 510 North Oregon Street. He attended Yreka Elementary and graduated from Yreka High School in 1957. Ed’s favorite childhood memories included summer trips to Finley Camp with family - a tradition that he shared with his children and grandchildren - he was never too old and the water was never too cold for him to wade in the river. The tradition included stopping to bury a penny at the top of Etna summit and get an ice cream at Dottie’s. Ed left Yreka to attend San Jose State but his early college career was interrupted by a brain tumor and the resulting surgery. Ed recovered, attended College of the Siskiyous, and then transferred to Chico State where he received his degree in General Elementary Education. In 1960, he began dating Jean Meamber. Jean’s father asked her “Who is that older man I see you with?” When she responded, “Ed Harris”, her father said, “Well, who in the hell is Ed Harris.” Though the story has been repeated many times, very few people ever asked the question again as Ed never knew a stranger. Ed and Jean were married in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on June 17th, 1967. They began a life together building and then living in the apartments just behind the family home on North Oregon Street. Edward Earl (Eddie) was born in 1969, followed by Chris in 1971. When Jack joined the family in 1977, they made a swap with Ed’s mother and moved into the family home and continued to make memories with family and friends. “510” as it is fondly referred to, was one of Ed’s pride and joys, he loved his home and he always made every visitor feel welcome. Ed began his career at Jackson Street School in 1964 and remained there until he retired in 1998. He had a passion for children and helping them to learn and become better people. In classroom 9, paying attention was the golden rule. Those who either hadn’t been warned or who forgot this requirement were met with an eraser - thrown with laser sharp accuracy and precision. In 30+ years of teaching, Ed impacted the lives of so many students with his kindness, his humor, and his dedication to knowledge and learning. When Ed retired, he devoted much of his time to his grandkids whom he adored. Jacob and Anna and then Jayne and Nora spent hours each day with their Papa in the years before they started school and once enrolled in school, spent many after school hours with Papa. Reading, and playing “I Spy” were some of their favorite pastimes. Jean retired in 2004 and the two of them enjoyed many traveling adventures. Together they became very active in the Retired Teachers Association and Ed served as their president. Ed and Jean were looking forward to celebrating 53 years of marriage on June 17th. They had planned a cross country trip to visit Jack and Carlyn in Virginia and to see their granddaughter Austin, their grandson Andrew, and to meet their newest grandson Abel for the first time. Second to his grandkids, Ed’s passions included great jazz, reading, doing the crossword puzzle, watching Fox News, watching the Giants, the Niners, and the Warriors, and traveling throughout the U.S. Ed visited all 50 states mostly via cross country road trips with Jack. He was the family recycler and would pick up cans, bottles, and trash around town on his walks - often putting these in the bottom of the stroller if he happened to be pushing one of his grandkids. Ed and Jean loved to “cut a rug” to classics like String of Pearls. .He was a dedicated member of the Ross Neillon Post 1922 Drum & Bugle Corps. He and Jean and the other Drum and Bugle Corps members shared many great travel adventures to parades all over Northern California. Ed was a Yreka “go-to” when Taps needed to be played for a funeral or memorial service. It wasn’t unusual for someone to walk by the house and hear the sound of the trumpet coming out of the upstairs window. Ed’s generosity knew no bounds, always willing to help anyone in need - but always requiring that they “do a little work” in exchange. Ed’s volunteerism in his community was evident, but most recently he served as a volunteer at the Collier’s Rest Area Welcome Center, where he enjoyed visits with people from all over the world. Ed is survived by his wife, Jean, his children Ed E, Chris (Jill), Jack (Carlyn), sisters Adria, Susan (Lloyd), Katherine, and Margaret, his grandchildren, Jacob, Anna, Jayne, Nora, Austin, Andrew, and Abel. He leaves behind numerous and beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward Earl and Adeline Harris, and his sister Lucy. Recitation of Rosary prayer will be Sunday, June 14th at 6 p.m. and the Funeral Mass will be Monday, June 15th at 10 a.m. both at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Yreka. Due to the Covid-19 situation, Saint Joseph’s will be limiting attendance in the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Scholarships Incorporated, PO Box 1328, Yreka, CA 96097 and/or St. Joseph’s Parish, 314 4th Street, Yreka, CA 96097.

Edward Frank Harris

August 13, 1939 - June 6, 2020