(aka “Slim’s Kid”), 81, passed away Sunday July 24th, 2011 at Bothell Health Care Nursing Facility with loving family by his
side.
Gary was delivered at home by his grandmother Hohenshelt on January 21st, 1930 in Sunnyside, WA to parents Ray and Leta Harris (Hohenshelt). He worked hard all his life, beginning with paper routes, harvesting asparagus and working in a butcher shop. After graduating from Sunnyside High School, Gary was drafted into the Army for the Korean Conflict. He landed in Grafenwoehr, Germany running the commissary as the Army didn’t have a uniform long enough to fit him for the transport to Korea. He served in Germany for the duration of the conflict and upon his return attended Yakima Valley Community College. During this time he met and married Betty Lou Edith Larson and moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. He graduated in 1957 with a Business Degree and was recruited by General Electric Credit Corp where he worked for 30 years across Oregon and Washington. In 1982 Gary, a widower, married A. Ann Smiley, also a widow, and began life as a father of six children. Gary most recently worked for American Building Maintenance on-site at various Microsoft campuses for 20
years.
Gary is survived by his wife of 29 years A. Ann Smiley-Harris, his daughters, and their spouses: Laurie Smiley; Lorinda and Paul Morey; Susan and Chris Ginsberg; and Samantha and David Winsky; and his sons: N. Saxon Harris and Michael Smiley. Gary was blessed with many grandchildren: MacKenzie Mills, Maddeline Howell (Mills),father Mark Mills and Paul Morey III, Ann and Rossi Bennett, father George Bennett, Christen, Griffin and Dashiell Ginsberg, and Jack and Nathan Winsky. Gary is also survived by his sister Tola Day (Ray), her children Kindra (Sam), Jim, Patti (Johnny), Janice (Rich) and great nieces and nephews; numerous Hohenshelt cousins and Fisher cousins (Marilyn, Kristi, Cathy, Scott, Michael). Gary is also survived by sisters in law Mary Southard and Beate McConkey, nieces and nephews Forrest McConkey, Jacob McConkey, Matthew Southard, Debbie Southard, Jonathan Southard and Melissa Southard; and many loving extended family and friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty (1976) and his parents Ray (1987) and Leta Harris (2001).
A time of Visitation will take place at Everett First Christian Reformed Church, 1429 McDougall Ave, Everett, WA 98021, on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 12PM with Funeral Services following at 1PM. Graveside Services will be held at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside Section: 7800 Van Belle Rd, Sunnyside, WA 98944 at 1PM on Saturday, August 6, 2011.
Arrangements under the direction of Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Seattle, Washington.
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