Obituary of Douglas Russell Harris

STUART, Iowa | Douglas Russell Harris, 72, passed away Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the Community Care Center, Stuart, Iowa. Doug spent his last moments with his family. Doug was born to Russell and Edith Harris on July 30, 1944 in Lockport, N.Y. Despite the physical limitations of his cerebral palsy affliction, Doug led a full and joyful life. His love of old friends and ease of making new ones came from his mother and his willingness to tackle any job around the home or farm and his skill at horseshoes was passed down from his father. Every challenge, from bowling to dancing to work to driving the tractor pulling a full load of hay to being the gate keeper at Grange was overcome and enjoyed with a smile for everyone around him. Doug was an active member of the Whitney Point, N.Y., Averill Park, N.Y., and Auburn, N.Y. Methodist Churches and sang in the Junior Choir in Whitney Point, the first sign of his life-long love of song. Doug spent many years in the Boy Scouts and could still recite the Boy Scout pledge 50 years later. During his youth, Doug especially enjoyed riding his bike around his little village of Poestenkill, N.Y., greeting friends and neighbors alike with a smile and "Have a nice day." In his later years, he most looked forward to sharing remembrances at family reunions. Doug's work career of more than 40 years was spent at the Workshops in Menands and Auburn. He was always proud of the skills he developed working as an assembler. Since his retirement, Doug spent most of his time in Iowa near his sister, Evelyn, with his last years spent receiving excellent care and making many new friends at the Community Care Center in Stuart, Iowa. Doug is survived by his immediate family, Steve and Jerri Harris, of Maggie Valley, N.C., Bart and Marguerite Harris, of Glastonbury, Conn., Dave and Regina Harris, of Mill Spring, N.C., and Evelyn and Doug Van Pelt, of Earlham, Iowa; as well as many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins, and friends. Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 17 at the Langham Funeral Home LLC, 75 East Genesee St., Auburn, NY, preceded by a visitation at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Stuart Community Care Center, 325 SW 7th St., Stuart, IA 50250.