Ronald Lee Harris

Ronald Lee Harris

KAYSVILLE - Ronald Lee Harris, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his daughter''s home on March 17, 2012, surrounded by his family.

He was born July 9, 1936, in Kemmerer, Wyoming, to Martha Greenway and William G. Harris. He spent his childhood in Frontier, Wyoming, and throughout his life enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and exploring Wyoming and Utaha€"especially in his much-loved red truck. "I wonder where that road goes...."

After obtaining an Electrical Engineering degree from Brigham Young University in 1959, he was hired by Bonneville Power in Portland and Eugene, Oregon. Three years later the family returned to Utah. Ron worked at Thiokol and Sperry before discovering his true vocation, as he began teaching Electronics and Math at Weber State College (later University). He earned further degrees from both WSU and the University of Utah. Later, he spent six months in Thailand as part of a multi-university project. He loved teaching electronics and math at WSU, and was a gifted, enthusiastic, and exacting teacher. He started his own consulting company, and was involved in many challenging private and public projects.

Ron married his sweetheart, Sarah McConkie, on June 18, 1958, in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of four sons and four daughters, as well as two "borrowed" daughters, and have 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Ron loved his family more than anything, and cherished the time he spent with them. Children and animals were drawn to him because of his kind and gentle nature.

A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he influenced many by his strong testimony and life-long example. He served faithfully in many callings, including Ward Clerk, Scouting Leader, Stake Missionary, and High Councilman, and was always happy to help others. He and Sarah loved serving a CES church mission in Seattle, Washington and surrounding areas. Ron did much family history and temple work. He and Sarah loved long trips in the motor home and family parties and traditions. After becoming disabled with Muscular Dystrophy, he enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles. He played games for many hours with children and grandchildren, and was especially good at word and strategy games. He spent much time working in the Church''s Name Extraction program, and continued research on his own family lines.

Through years of mostly home-bound disability he remained patient, cheerful, and loving. He enjoyed keeping in touch with friends and relatives through phone calls and emails. He faced death with dignity and faith.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Martha Harris, three sons: David, Ronald and Thomas and daughter Sandra Clayton.

Ron is survived by his wife, Sarah; children Kathy (Ken) Brill, Merry (Darren) Cannon, Sherrie (Scott) Openshaw, Scott (Brooke) Harris, Jenny (Barry) Budd, and Amy (Mike) Ohrt, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Kaysville 4th Ward Chapel, 875 E. 200 North. Friends may visit family on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 N. Main or from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. before services on Thursday at the church.

Interment at the Kemmerer, Wyoming Cemetery.