Joseph William Harris, Jr Obituary (1937 - 2019)

Joseph William Harris Jr, passed away Friday, March 8, 2019 at St Luke's Hospital in Meridian, Idaho. He was 82. He was born on January 6, 1937 in New York City, New York, the son of Joseph William Harris and Verna Ruth Chandler. He was the 2nd of 4 children. Joe spent his youth on Staten Island and frequently made the trip to the train station in the city with his older brother to see their father, who served in the Navy during World War II. Later, his family moved to Syracuse where Joe graduated from Syracuse High School. After high school, he attended Syracuse University for a year and rowed as part of the crew team. He then went to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah for three years before serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served for 2 1/2 years in the in the Spanish-American Mission which included parts of Texas and New Mexico and required him to learn Spanish. After his mission, he returned to finish his education at BYU. While there, Joe was a member of the Viking Social Unit and met his future wife, Margaret Diane Haight while they were working on a joint project between their social units. Joe and Diane continued dating and were engaged when Joe graduated in April 1961 with a degree in Industrial Management and a minor in Business. Joe and Diane were married August 24, 1961 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple by Apostle Marion G. Romney, who was a childhood friend of Joe's father. Joe also served in the Naval Reserve and was honorably discharged in April 1962. Joe's work career began in Oakland, California as an Industrial Engineer for Owens-Illinois Glass Company. After working in Portland, Oregon and southern California where they bought a home in La Mirada, Joe left the glass company in 1971 and worked as the chief estimator and project manager for a commercial construction company. The family moved to Placentia where Joe was called as the first Stake President of the newly formed Placentia California Stake. In 1976, Joe moved the family to Provo, Utah where he worked in residential home construction until 1979. When the housing market declined, they returned to southern California where Joe started working as construction manager for the hotel firm that later became Embassy Suites. After leaving Embassy Suites, he completed various projects in Maui, Kauai, Florida, and Elko and Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1998, Joe and Diane moved to Draper, Utah where he helped build and manage a bakery/restaurant until he retired in 2001. In 2002, they moved to their current residence in Nampa, Idaho. Joe was an avid reader and loved the history of the old west. He enjoyed collecting old firearms. In his later years, he enjoyed cooking and had a file full of recipes. The only food he didn't particularly care for was bananas. He liked sports and especially enjoyed following the teams of his alma mater, BYU. He even stayed until the end of 1980 Holiday Bowl when BYU came back from 20 points down and beat SMU on the last play of the game. Joe was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings that included Elders Quorum President, Bishop, High Councilor, Stake President, Mission Leader, Regional Welfare Leader, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, High Priest Group Leader, and most recently a teacher of 14-15 year old youth. Joe loved his family and was always happiest when surrounded by all his children, grandchildren, and Bassett Hound, Jackson. Joe is survived by wife Margaret Diane Harris; son, John Hyrum Harris (Susan); daughters: Laura Diane Hales (Brent), Janel Marie Williams (Brad), Carol Lynn McNairy; grandchildren: Tyler Harris (Courtney), Joseph Harris (Susan), Alexis Gardner (Mitch), Kristine Dalmas (Josh), Derrick Hales (Alicia), Lauren Hales, Ashley Hales, Alec Hales, Megan Hales, Emilee Jardine (Marcus), Harrison Williams, Lindsey Williams, Katelyn Williams, Abigail Williams, Marina McNairy, Maika McNairy; great-grandchildren: Kingsley Harris, Jane Hales, Heath Hales; brother Mark Harris (Loleth Magnaye), and sister Verna Erwin (Hugh). Joe was preceded in death by parents Joseph and Verna Harris; son, William Joseph Harris; brother, Elwin Harris; and sister-in-law, Ida Mae Harris. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 16 at the Nampa 24th Ward LDS meetinghouse located at 88 S. Happy Valley Rd in Nampa, Idaho. There will be a viewing before the funeral that starts at 10:00 am. Burial will take place Monday, March 18, at the Salt Lake City Cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah. Arrangements are under the direction of Zeyer Funeral Chapel, Nampa. 208-467-7300. Condolences may be expressed at zeyerfuneralchapel.com.