Terry Lee Harris was born July 4th 1956 in Phoenix, Arizona to Frank and Ella Harris and lived his entire life in Glendale. He attended Unit 1 Elementary and graduated with honors from Glendale High School in 1974. In 1976 he graduated from Glendale Community College where he made the Dean’s List all four semesters.
Terry had a brilliant mind, everything he ever read or saw he was able to remember. He loved math and trivia watching Jeopardy every day and always answering the questions before the contestants. Terry was a member of the National Honor Society during high school and a member of the chess club where he won many awards during his tournaments. While still in high school Terry received his pilot’s license, before he even got his driver license, and along with his father he flew a Cessna 182. He was an avid and passionate Oakland Raiders fan, and to him they would always stay the Oakland Raiders no matter where they moved. Whenever he wished someone happy birthday his favorite phrase was “happy, happy, joy, joy”.
While in high school Terry met the love of his life, Tina Mrazek, but at that time they were just friends. On May 17, 1974 Terry and Tina went on their first date and they were married on August 20, 1976. In 1979 their son Matthew was born. Terry loved his family but his greatest joy was spending time with his son Matthew and attending his performances in various community theaters, even performing with Matthew in two local plays. He was always supportive and involved with helping his son with his plays and supporting the theater any way he could whether it was helping with the props, providing transportation, or just eating dinner with the actors after their performances.
On May 29, 2017 Terry passed away at home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 40 years Tina and his son Matthew both of Glendale. Terry is also survived by his sisters, Sue Black of Glendale, Arizona and Cathy Bush (Milt) of Plain City, Utah; nieces, Betty Sue Brooks (Charlie) of Laveen, Arizona and Vickie Howard (Mark) of Surprise, Arizona; nephew Chad Bush (Heather) of Roy Utah; great niece Shelbie Howard; great nephews Zachary Howard, Connor Brooks and Kyle Brooks; as well as two aunts and many cousins, friends, and his cockatoo Peaches that loved to tell him “hi baby”. He was preceded in death by his son Neil Robert Harris in 1977, and his parents.
A graveside service will be held for Terry at 10 AM on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at Resthaven Park Cemetery, 6450 W. Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to either the American Heart Association, www.donatenow.heart.org, or the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org.
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