Roger Harris

Roger N. Harris, Sr., age 85, passed away at home surrounded by his family on October 28, 2021. Roger was born on January 31, 1936 in Grandview, WA to William Bascram and Bessie Agnes (Fincher) Harris. He grew up on a farm in Mabton, WA with his six siblings. Roger attended grades one through twelve in Mabton. He was very active in sports playing football, basketball and baseball. He married Maxine Goodwin, also from Mabton, in 1953 and they had five children. In 1982 Roger married Barbara (Kunda) Martin. Roger's dream of becoming a Washington State Patrol trooper was realized with his commissioning as a trooper in 1959. He served thirty years with the patrol, retiring as a sergeant in 1990. During his career, he was stationed in Chewelah, Wenatchee and Ephrata. He enjoyed attending his WSP class reunions as well as having weekly coffee sessions with other law enforcement officers. After retirement from the WSP, Roger drove the Trancare special needs bus for seven years and was also responsible for training other bus drivers. In addition, he enjoyed driving truck during apple harvest for Crandall Orchards and potato harvest for Stetner Farms of Ephrata. Roger loved volunteering at Central Washington Hospital as an in-patient transporter. His quick wit and sense of humor served the hospital staff and patients well. Roger was an avid sports fan. He delighted in RV camping with his family and friends. He treasured the annual campouts on the Boulder River in Montana with Barbara and their Montana family. Cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal were additional highlights for him. Over the past sixteen years, Roger and Barbara spent part of the fall and winter months in Surprise, AZ with family and friends. Many wonderful memories were created during this time. Roger cherished his family. His grandchildren were a special joy to him. He loved providing them with frozen M&M's. Roger was close to many of his nieces and nephews. He gave great hugs and was always ready to play cribbage and holey board. He will be greatly missed. Roger was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers William Jr. (Alma Lou) Harris, Ralph Harris and Richard (Edythe) Harris and his brothers-in-law John Comstock, Chester (Dora) Kunda, Vince Kunda and Ray (Liz) Kunda and Pat Toennis. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his brother Wayne (Dorothy) Harris and his sisters Juanez (LeRoy) Sharpe and Darlene Comstock; sisters-in-law Betty Harris, Agnes Toennis and Audrene Kunda; children Roger Jr. (Kathy), Gary, Vicki (Gary) Steen, Mark (Pamela) and Curtis; grandchildren Christopher (Patience) Harris, Audrey Harris, Stephanie (Dan) McCurry, Jeff (Jessica) Harris, Amelia (Sawyer) Werner, Natalie Harris and Timothy Harris; great grandchildren Harmony-June Harris, Judah, Ezra, and Leah Harris and Isabel, Evangeline and Vivienne McCurry and many beloved nieces and nephews. We would like to thank Confluence Health medical staff for their loving care of Roger. Please consider giving a donation to charity of your choice. Celebration of Roger's Life will be held at Sage Hills Church at 1 PM on November 23, 2021. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Chapel of the Valley. We invite you to share in Roger's online tribute where you can share a memory with the family.

Roger Harris

January 31, 1936 - October 28, 2021