OBITUARY OF RICHARD L. HARRIS Richard L. Harris passed away on April 11, 2024. He was born February 3, 1944 at the old Mercy Hospital in Nampa, the third son of George Henry and Melba Tipton Harris. He attended first grade at the two-room country schoolhouse in Knowlton Heights, just out of Marsing. His family moved to Melba, Idaho when he was in 3rd grade. During high school, he participated in football, basketball and baseball. While Richard was a freshman in high school, his father lost his right arm in a farming accident, which put the family in difficult financial straits, so he decided to work for various farmers in the Melba area to help with family expenses. He made sure however, work did not interfere with playing sports or American Legion baseball. After graduating from Melba high, Richard attended BYU Provo for a year before serving a mission in England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While on his mission, his father passed away but he elected to complete his mission as his father had requested. His mission was the beginning of a life-long love of the scriptures and the ability to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Upon completion of his mission, Richard returned to BYU. While there he was introduced to a California valley-girl, Julie Ann McCoy, and they were married for Time and all Eternity in the Los Angeles The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple on May 25, 1968. Three (3) months later, they both graduated with Richard receiving degrees in Political Science and English Literature. They moved to Moscow, Idaho shortly thereafter, where Richard attended the University of Idaho Law School. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1971 and passed the Idaho Bar that summer. He was an active member of the Idaho Bar for 50 yrs. He worked as a Deputy Prosecutor in Bingham County for a year, and then as Deputy Prosecutor for Canyon County for the next five (5) years before deciding to go into private practice. In 1982, he was elected Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney and held that office for ten (10) yrs. In 1992, he opened his own Law office in Caldwell until his retirement. Recently he wrote a book about a contract-murder case he handled during his time as prosecutor entitled “Murder for Hire – the story of a contract murder in a small Idaho town”. Richard considered himself a trial lawyer, trying over 250 jury trials in Idaho as well as California, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada and Utah. Richard enjoyed reading, mostly history books about the Civil War and World War II, and biographies, especially those written about Winston Churchill and George Patton. He loved sports, particularly baseball and golf. He attended major league games in Fenway Park, Commiskey Park, Wrigley Field, Diamond Back Stadium, the King Dome, Safeco Field, Candlestick Park, Dodger Stadium, Yankee Stadium and the park in San Diego. He was bitten by the golf-bug after becoming an attorney and played the rest of his life. He was happy to play with a single digit handicap for almost 10 yrs. and was blessed to be able to travel and play with his sons on the Old Course, as well as Carnoustie, Royal Dornoch and other courses in Scotland. He and his sons traveled to Ireland to play Royal Portrush and Royal County Down. The list of courses in the U.S. is too long to mention, but Purple Sage always held a special place in his heart. He enjoyed many rounds of golf with a group of friends known as the “Coaches” and other friends for many years at Purple Sage and he was grateful to be physically able to enjoy playing the game for so long. Richard was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in various positions in the Church and taught Priesthood and Sunday School for almost 50 yrs. He held the Gospel of Jesus Christ as sacred and tried to be an example to his family. He had a testimony that Jesus Christ lives, that He is our Savior and Redeemer, that he is the Son of a Living God, whose desire it is that all mankind be saved by obedience to the provisions of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ; that Joseph Smith was a Prophet, who under the direction of Jesus Christ, restored the original true church in this dispensation of the fullness of times and translated the Book of Mormon, giving mankind some of the greatest revelations ever revealed to man. Of this, he knew absolutely and beyond doubt. He is survived by his wife Julie and their four children, Rachelle Harris, Anjenette Peterson, Nathaniel Brian (Becky) and Samuel Harris; his grandchildren Hannah, Ashley and Paige Peterson and Gemma Grace and Hayes Nathaniel Harris. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Connie Underhill and brothers, Robert and Thomas Harris. Richard was always proud of his family and their accomplishments in education, music, sports, business and in life. His family was grateful to support their father when he encountered his health challenges, but most of all, they were happy to accompany him on the many wonderful adventures he cherished – golfing, traveling the world, sporting/music events and church. He was involved in his own funeral service; the writing of this obituary and the program, including speakers and hymns. He specifically requested his wife Julie perform the intermediate music, his favorite piano solo, the 2nd mov. of the Sonata in Cm (Pathetique) by Beethoven. He believed a funeral should be a time we celebrate the life one has lived and that death is a necessary part of eternal progression and is simply a transition from this life to another. He concurred with the late Elder Matthew Cowley, that death is the greatest adventure any of us will have, for if we live to die, we die to live. What a glorious life it will be. Our family would like to sincerely thank Jessica Velasquez, Jeremy Harrison, Lily & Melissa from Journey Hospice. They were at the house within 20 minutes of us arriving home from the hospital and provided wonderful, professional care and support during a very stressful transition. Their kindness, medical knowledge and patience, were deeply appreciated. Funeral services are scheduled for April 27, 2024 at 10:30 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at 15782 Farmway Rd., Caldwell. Internment will be at the Melba cemetery at 2:00 pm..
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