Rex Mitchel Harris

Rex (Fuz) Harris, 64, passed away peacefully July 11, 2015, at home surrounded by his loving family, after a short battle with renal cancer. Rex was born March 3, 1951, in Fowler, Kansas. His family later moved to Seattle, Wash. and then to Snohomish, Wash. He graduated from Snohomish High School in 1969. That same year he married his high school sweetheart, Aleta (Simmons). Rex and Aleta met in the Spudnut hamburger joint as freshman when Aleta walked up to him, punched him in the arm and said "you're in my seat". The rest is history. Shortly after they were married Rex joined the Navy and became a corpsman. Rex left the Navy in 1973 and the family moved back to Washington where they settled down in Lake Stevens and raised their family. Rex worked as a pipefitter and welder out of Local 265. Later he began work at Scott Paper and Kimberley Clark in Everett until his retirement in 2012. In retirement Rex spent three days a week on the golf course with his son and close friends, and in his spare time he did some home remodeling. He loved spending time with his family, and grandchildren opened up a whole new side of him, he loved those kiddos. He loved camping at Birch Bay, going to the grandkids soccer and lacrosse games and simply getting the family together. One of his favorite trips was Memorial weekend camping at the Pugsley's in Winthrop. This tradition, spent with a wonderful family of friends, spanned over 25 years. Rex spent many years enjoying time with his friends and family while hunting and fishing. In recent years he enjoyed bow hunting and just kicking back with his hunting buddy Merle. He also loved RV vacations with his wife and close friends where they shared lots of laughs and had numerous great adventures. Rex is survived by his wife Aleta; mother, Peggy; sister, Jonell (Elder); daughter, Julie (Brown) and her husband, Kevin; son, Chad and his wife, Kerri; and five grandchildren, Mckenzie and Andrew Brown and Nolan, Ethan and Eddie Harris. Rex was preceded in death by his father, James and brother, Kelly. Rex also leaves behind a large extended family and many close friends. Friends and family are invited to come celebrate his life at a memorial service on Saturday, July 18, 2015, at 2 p.m. at Machias Community Church, 1615 Virginia Street, Snohomish WA. The family would love to hear stories and thoughts about Rex. Please come share, or provide a writing that can be read aloud for you.