Lawrence Harris Obituary

Harris Jr., Lawrence W. 101 July 23, 1911 March 02, 2013 Lawrence W. "Larry" Harris Jr., prominent businessman and civic leader in Portland in the 1940s and 1950s, died in Carmel, Calif., on Saturday, March 2, 2013, at the age of 101. Larry was born in San Francisco on July 23, 1911, and attended Galileo High School, where he was senior class president. He graduated from Stanford University in 1932. At Stanford, he majored in Economics, spent four years on the swim and water polo teams, and was the head yell leader in his senior year. After graduating from Stanford, Larry moved to Portland to join the family business, Ames Harris & Neville, a manufacturer of burlap and cotton bags with a large factory at 15th and Hoyt (now I-405). He lived in a bachelor apartment in the Multnomah Club where he made lifelong friends. In the years before World War II, Larry traveled all over the Northwest, selling bags to potato farmers in Rexburg, seed growers in Forest Grove, flour millers in Pendleton and hop growers in Amity. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II in the Transportation Corps. In 1939, he married the former Jane Beebe and they were among the first parishioners of St. Thomas More. They were active climbers and hikers and spent, with their family, much time on the north side of Mount Hood as members of the Snowshoe Club. While in Portland, he worked with United Way of Multnomah County and was its chairman in 1946. He was a trustee of the Portland Freight Traffic Association and was its chairman in 1952-4. He was a member of the Multnomah Club, Arlington Club, Waverly Country Club and was a life member of the Alpine Club of Canada. He was a Director of Ames Harris & Neville and of the Beebe Company and was its president in 1954 after the passing of his father-in-law, Kenneth Beebe. In 1955, Larry and his family moved to San Francisco when he became the Executive Vice President of Ames Harris & Neville. The business was sold to Boise Cascade in 1958. While in San Francisco, he was a member of Bay Area United Way, was a board member of Santa Catalina School, served as a director of the Yosemite Park & Curry Company, and served as a Governor of Stanford University Associates and as board member of Stanford University Alumni Association. He was a member of The Family, the Pacific Union Club, and the Burlingame Country Club and, as a 4th generation Californian, the Society of California Pioneers. Larry spent the remainder of his business career in Boise for Boise Cascade, retiring as corporate secretary in 1971. After three years working for the College of Idaho, Larry ran for the Idaho State Legislature five times, spending ten years in the Legislature and was chairman of its Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee. He and Jane moved to Carmel in 1987. He and his wife were avid skiers and owned residences in Sun Valley. Across a life of 101 years and a married life of 72 years, Larry amassed a long list of friends in San Francisco, Portland, Boise and Carmel. He had strong connections with business associates, charitable work, golf and hiking companions, musical interests and associations with his children and their friends. His ties to Stanford University were strong and he was the sixth recipient of its Golden Spike Award in 1970. He had a great effect on careers of friends, as mentor, and of his children as a strong and thoughtful father. He was frequently called on as a speaker for professional or charitable functions. At the passing of its oldest and longest serving member, the Arlington Club lowered its flag to half-mast. His wife, Jane, predeceased him in 2011. He leaves five children, Lawrence W. "Tige" Harris III (Peggy) of Cornelius, Ore; Caroline Henderson of Jacksonville, Ore; Father Edwin Beebe Harris S.J. of San Jose; Kenneth Harris (Carmel Crock) of Boise; and Louise Harris (Ray Khoury) of Richmond, Calif.; six grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2013, at St. Thomas Mo re Church in Portland, followed by a reception at the Harris house in Cornelius. Larry will be interred privately at Riverview Cemetery next to his wife. Donations may be made to the "Lawrence W. Jr., and Jane B. Harris Fellowship Fund" at Stanford University, a family fund for supporting public service interns. Its address is c/o Beth Ross, External Relations Haas Center for Public Service, 562 Salvatierra Walk, Stanford, CA 94305-8620.

Published by The Oregonian from Mar. 15 to Mar. 17, 2013.
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L was my mother's cousin. He is the last of the cousins to pass. An incredible family. Good bye Uncle L.

Ellie Riley

March 24, 2013

I have wonderful memories of Larry and Jane and our families together. What long and vigorous lives they led! Best wishes...

Kevin Gray

March 20, 2013

Tige -- I was saddened to read of your fathers death. What a great man and inspiration. And to live to 101!

Steve Telfer

March 18, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Sharon Williams

March 18, 2013

I met Larry Harris when he and his wife were residents at The Manor, as were my parents, Gene and Cynthia Wheary. A gracious man who always brought me up to date when I would visit, he really looked after and kept in touch with my parents as they began to fail. I appreciated Larry and know he is in a good place.

Patrick Wheary

March 17, 2013

I send sincerest condolences on behalf of myself and my husband, Bill Garner, who was employed by Ames, Harris & Neville for a number of years in the 1950s.

Justine Garner

March 17, 2013

I wish I'd met him.

Alan Ames

March 16, 2013

May God bless and comfort you in your time of sorrow.

Sharon Williams

March 15, 2013

Larry and Jane were so generous with their time and advice to Sarah and I. Two newlywed kids looking for a place to live were given valuable advice and encouraged to relocate to Boise. We will always be grateful for the time Larry and Jane shared with two strangers in September 1976. Our lives were forever changed and we will never forget their generosity.

John and Sarah Connolly

John Connolluy

March 15, 2013

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