Gary Keith Harris

1948 - 2024

Gary Keith Harris

September 25, 1948 - December 9, 2024

Salida, California - Gary Keith Harris was born September 25th, 1948, and entered the Pearly Gates of Heaven on December 9th, 2024, at the age of 76.

Born in Midland Texas, to Lenard and Fannie, Gary was the youngest of 7 children. His family moved to Winton California in May of 1962. Gary attended Winton Elementary School and graduated from Atwater High School in 1967.

Gary was a High School basketball star and inducted into the Atwater High School Hall of Fame in 2012, where he still holds many records. In 1967 he earned a basketball scholarship to San Jacinto College in Pasadena Texas, where he played for one season.

In 1968 he was drafted to the United States Army. Private First-Class Harris served as a Machine Gunner with Company D, 5th Battalion, 60th infantry. On January 16, 1969, during a search and seal operation, "disregarding his own safety, knowingly ran through a heavily mined area to aid his comrades, and incurred wounds from a land mine, however making it possible for those that followed him to advance." Upon his return home from his Service in January 1970, Gary received the Purple Heart Medal of Honor for his Heroism.

On May 9th, 1970, Gary married his high school sweetheart Betty Ann Luis and together they had two daughters. Gary was hired as a salesman in 1973 for Rainbo Bread and worked in Modesto, CA. In 1986, his job transferred to Denver, Colorado where he would be named Regional Salesman of the Year numerous times over the next 30 years. In 1996, Gary and Betty moved back to California where he would retire from the bread business in 2006.

Gary was passionate about Fastpitch Softball. In the 1980's Gary played and pitched in the Men's ASA Fastpitch Softball league. He would pass this enthusiasm to his daughters and eventually was one of the founders of the Modesto Girls Softball association (MGSA) in 1984. Gary would spend the next 28 years coaching girls fast pitch in Colorado and California; helping both his daughters and many others earn softball scholarships to college.

Once retired, Gary and Betty traveled and played Golf. They were also proud Grandparents of three Granddaughters. Gary said "he felt like he hit the lottery" when he became a grandfather. Gary was the ultimate family man!! He had a deep love and devotion to "his 5 girls." After the loss of his wife Betty in 2021, Gary remained selfless as a father and Grandfather, dropping everything if asked to be present and available to his two daughters and his granddaughters. He was the ultimate "girl dad and papa!"

Gary K. Harris was a humble, generous, kind and loyal human being. He was a Protector, a Provider, and a man of deep faith. He would often say the best decision he ever made outside of marrying Betty Ann, was putting his Trust in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. It was with this choice that he leaves a legacy of Faith, Family and Patriotism.

Gary is preceded in death by his mother, father, his sister, 4 brothers and his wife of 51 years Betty Ann.

He is survived by his brother Butch Harris (Roberta), his two daughters Michelle (Richie), Jamie (Russ) and his three beloved granddaughters, Morgan, Madison and Annabella.

A full military service in honor of Gary will be take place May 9th at the Winton Cemetery at noon, with reception to follow.