Jerry Norman Harris

Jerry N. Harris, age 88, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2020, in Vancouver, WA. Jerry was born on May 26, 1931, in Carroll, Iowa, to Lester Charles Harris and Hazel Eugene Richardson. Jerry and his family moved to Portland, OR when he was 12, and eventually settled in the N. Portland area. Jerry lived the majority of his adult life in the St. Johns neighborhood. Jerry attended Portsmouth school and Commerce (later renamed Cleveland) High School.

Jerry had a strong faith in Jesus Christ after joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 25 years old. Soon after, he married Harriett Margaret Day of LaPine OR in the Salt Lake LDS temple. He served in many capacities within the church over his lifetime and rarely missed a meeting. In his later years, he and Harriett enjoyed volunteering at the Portland LDS temple in Lake Oswego, where they served for ten years. He and Harriett loved to drive their little family to the beach after Jerry got home from work to watch the sun set over a homemade dinner of fried chicken and potato salad. They were happy with the simple aspects of life as long as they could spend time together.

Jerry worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as an office clerk from the time he was 19 until retirement. He didn’t stay retired for long and eventually went to work as a school bus driver for Laidlaw, where his son Jim was employed. Jerry was also a gifted tenor and performed as a soloist in church or at special occasions, as well as a member of his ward choir. He also spent some time with the Portland Opera as a chorus member and enjoyed performing on stage in community theater. In his later years after Harriett passed away in 2011, Jerry enjoyed going to karaoke in a small café in St. Johns. There he could revel in performing for a diverse audience of appreciative listeners. He made quite the name for himself in St. Johns becoming a familiar fixture in the community as he would jog through parks, neighborhoods, along Lombard, and crossing the St. John’s Bridge and back. He ran to keep his voice in shape and therefore lived a long, healthy life because of his running and, as he would tell you because he gave up smoking when he joined the church. He ran in 13 marathons, including the Portland and Seaside Marathons. His marathon medals are displayed proudly in a keepsake frame, and his caregivers were often impressed with them. It was a wonderful way to see him as he was before his memory faded.

Jerry was a very hard worker and taught his family by example, that working hard was a worthwhile activity. He was a very dutiful and loving son who took wonderful care of his mother in her golden years.

Jerry and Harriett welcomed three children to their family, Norm Harris (Marcia Jensen) of Vancouver WA, Jim Harris (Karen Gilmore) of St. Helens OR, and Melanie (Harris) Hokanson (Thomas) of Vancouver WA. Jerry and Harriett have 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.skylinememorialgardens.com for the Harris family.