I love you Daddy!
David S. Harris, 68, of Sylvania, passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. He was born June 20, 1945, in California, MO, and was the son of Rodney and Ruth Harris. David was a graduate of California State University with a Graduate Degree in History and his MBA in Human Resource Management from the University Southern California.
David was in Iran on a desert highway project in 1978 when the Shah of Iran lost control, witnessing the beginning of the Iranian Revolution. He worked as an HR manager for 6 years on the Alaska Pipeline, living in Anchorage and remote artic winter camps at Deadhorse, Valdez, and Prudhoe Bay. Hired by Owens-Corning in 1998, David traveled extensively and consulted with People-leaders in Owens-Corning worldwide. Retiring in 2011, after 13 years at Owens-Corning, he continued a successful consulting career through D.S. Harris and Associates.
David married Janice in 1999 and together they enjoyed travel which most often included hiking. Some of their most memorable hikes include such places as The Tahoe Basin, The Grand Canyon, Napali Coast Trail in Kauai, and Bandeliar National Monument in New Mexico.
While attending John Marshall High School in L.A. David ran cross-country and was the 1962 L.A. City champion as well as being one of three track stars to win L.A. track championship. He spent some of his early years playing as a professional drummer. He had many other interests including writing, editing, and publishing books, becoming a voice-over actor, and had a passion for football, especially following USC college games and "his" St. Louis Rams. Many Sunday afternoons were spent watching football, wrapped in his Rams blanket with Woody and Tango (their Westies) flanking each side. One of his favorite events of the year was the annual NFL draft. David passed along his love of books to his 8 grandchildren and he could often be found with one or all of them as an audience to his reading. He could also be found with one or all of the adults as audience to his famous "shaggy dog stories". He was always "teaching", especially the grandchildren...how to: use chopsticks, hold and use drumsticks, use trekking poles, and play chess.
David is survived by his loving wife, Janice; parents, Rodney and Ruth Harris of Fort Collins, CO; brothers, Bruce (Rita) Harris and Scott (Jennice) Harris both of Fort Collins, CO; four daughters, Stephanie Stansbie of Ashburn, VA, Tamara (John) Pedersen of Stephens City, VA, Rebecca (Jeff) Orange of Highland, IN and Kristie (Ben) Jones of Downers Grove, IL. He is also survived by son-in-law, Will Stansbie of Aldi, VA; grandchildren, Josh, Jeremy and Jenna Orange, August Stansbie, Grant and Makenna Jones, Nicolaus and Carleigh Pedersen and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Avenue (west of Corey), on Thursday, July 11, 2013, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church, 4855 W. Central Avenue, on Friday, July 12, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be private in Epworth United Methodist Church Memorial Garden. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 River Road, Perrysburg, OH, 43551 or Epworth United Methodist Church, 4855 W. Central Avenue, Ottawa Hills, OH 43615.
