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Ed Harris Obituary

ED HARRIS

Ed Harris died peacefully on June 11, surrounded by family and friends.

Ed was born October 25, 1946, in Spokane to Edith and Edward Harris.

He soon was joined by four siblings over the next few years. The Harris kids grew up with a love of fishing, hunting, and baseball, and Ed would continue to pass on those family hobbies.

Ed's family moved to Richland while he was young and it was there he met several close friends and extended families that would endure throughout his life.

After graduating in 1965 from Columbia High School in Richland, Ed moved to Seattle where he worked at Boeing for a few years. However, his desire to raise a family in the Tri-Cities brought him back to Richland and he built a career with Burlington Northern Railroad.

In 1970, he married Kathy (Thayer) Harris, and they had three children.

Ed instilled in his kids a willingness to work hard, and a deep love of baseball. Ed coached youth baseball for more than 25 years, and his kids loved spending their summers at the ball park. Some other treasured family memories include trips to Seattle to watch the Mariners, crabbing in Tokeland, beach combing in Westport, frequent fishing trips and the annual search for the perfect Christmas tree.

Ed retired from the railroad in 2002 and sold Joeys, the restaurant he had purchased with a fried several years before. This allowed him to spend more time hunting and fishing, and he especially enjoyed recent fishing trips to Alaska. He also cherished annual elk and deer hunts with his close friends and his son, Shawn. Ed loved fishing with his grandkids as well.

Ed is preceded in death by his father, Edward Harris; his mother, Edith Harris; his sister, Edie Tadlock; and his brother, Keith Harris.

Ed is survived by his ex-wife and close friend, Kathy Harris; his daughter, Dawn Clark and husband, Brian; his son, Shawn Harris and wife, Heather; and his daughter, Janelle Klages and husband, Tyler.

Ed has three grandchildren, whom he cherished: Charmaine Harris, Aaron Clark and Rachel Clark.

He also is survived by his sister Marian Schultz and her husband Steve, his brother Vernon Harris and several nieces and nephews.

Ed was surrounded by a great group of close friends and the family would like to thank them all for their love and support, with special thanks to Gary Clark.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to youth baseball organizations.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 16, at Einan's Funeral Home at 2 p.m.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tri-City Herald from Jun. 13 to Jun. 14, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries

Gil Gilstrap

June 24, 2008

Ah Eddie, I can't believe it's true. I was just looking through the site and saw your name, and I just can't believe it. I remember ed when you coached me in baseball in pony league and you also coached with me in pony league, and colt league. My fondest memory is when you and I whipped the A team all stars with the B team, I still have the trophy. I also remember when I snuck you into the dug out to help me coach my shelton american legion team, in a kennewick tournement and they crapped when they heard you laugh.
When I coached the Shelton high School baseball team, I used your most famous line on them when they screwed up. " OK ladies lets tighten the skirts out there". Take care Kathy and the kids, Take care Vern. Gilly

Jerry Gilstrap

June 23, 2008

Youth baseball will never be the same again. The ball park echoed with his laugh. I remember we had the Ed Harris laugh contest. I never won but oh what fun we all had. My last moments with him was in 1983 when I managed the Eagles in Colt league and I knew who I had to have as a coach. It was Ed. I was smarter just standing next to the man. The lives this man touched on and off the field is a great credit to Kathy and himself and should never be forgotten. I can still hear you laughing Ed.

Mike Gibson

June 21, 2008

I have many great memories of Ed and family when I was a young child. I find myself thinking of times that I will always remember. Trips to McDonalds, coaching my basketball team, 4x4-ing behind Carmichael. Ed will be missed and the Harris family will always have a place in my heart.

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