GARTH M. HARRIS

1927 - 2013

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Garth Merrill Harris, husband and best friend of his wife of sixty years, Betty Harris, on Sunday, February 3, 2013 at the age of 85 years.
Family and friends were invited to meet with the family at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, February 8, 2013 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. and also at the church prior to the funeral service on Saturday, February 9, 2013 between 9:30 A.M. and 10:40 A.M.
The Funeral Service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with Bishop Brock Campbell conducting. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Besides his loving wife Betty, Garth is survived by their children Renee (Neil) Nordquist of Minot, North Dakota; Diane (Lorne) Patzer of Lethbridge; Richard (Caroline) Harris of Santa Clara, Utah; Merrill (Malinda) Harris of Taber; Julie (Eric) Nuttall of American Fork, Utah; Denzil (Karen) Harris of Alpine, Utah; Shauna Bodnar of Sherwood Park; Ian (Kim) Harris of Taber. He is also survived by twenty eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren whom he loved and adored. Garth will be fondly remembered by two brothers Bernarr (Inez) Harris of Taber and Gary (Evelyn) Harris of Lake Havasu, Arizona; a sister NaVee (Curt) Wynder of Provo, Utah; Betty’s brothers and their spouses Gordon Peterson of Edmonton, Ron (Nurae) Peterson of Calgary, Rulon (Dee) Peterson of Westminster, California and Larry (Reta) Peterson of Temecula, California and by numerous nieces and nephews. Family meant everything to Garth and he loved nothing more than to have the family be together.
He was predeceased by his son Derrick Harris; three grandsons Jason Harris, Devin Harris and Eric Nordquist; son-in-law Allan Bodnar; his parents Ivan and Maude Harris; Betty’s parents Elgin and Dorene Peterson; step father Ward Webb; sister Joyce Palmer; sister-in-law Peg Peterson.
Garth was born on June 9, 1927 and lived most of his life in Taber. He worked alongside his father from a very young age and eventually took over the family farm. Garth loved to see things grow and watch the land produce bounteous crops.
In 1952, Garth married the love of his life, Betty Peterson, and they were blessed with nine children. Garth had a great sense of humor, loved to play practical jokes on anyone and everyone and was usually in the middle of any social gathering. He also had a great love of flying and earned his pilot’s license at an early age.
Garth was always active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as a Missionary in France, Home Teacher, Bishop, Seventy, High Councilor, a councilor in two Stake Presidencies, a Temple worker and Sealer and a councilor in the Bern Switzerland Temple Presidency.
He was also an active member of the community where he served for several years as a Director and Chairman of the Alberta Vegetable Growers Marketing Board, Director of the Alberta Sugar Beet Growers Association (Taber local), a councilor in the Municipal District of Taber and was also active in the Taber Chamber of Commerce and the Taber Flying club.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Garth’s name may be made directly to the charity of one’s personal choosing.