Our Dad, satirically referred to as "The Old Man" Gaylen Lamoyne Harris, 85, passed away May 5th, 2024 at his home in Sandy Utah. Born in Sugar City, Idaho May 22nd 1938, to Dora Del Garn and Charles LaMoyne Harris. He was the oldest of five children.
Gaylen served an LDS Mission (Northern Far East) in Tokyo, Japan then graduated at the University of Utah with a BS in accounting.
He met his wife Nelljean Nelson on a blind date. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1963 and went on to have eight children.
Growing up in humble settings, much time was spent outside gaining an appreciation for outdoor recreational activities. Which was fishing, a LOT of fishing. Many great camping and fishing trips were had with his parents, siblings, family and alike.
He learned about hard work, hunting and craftmanship from his father, and went on to build his Highland Utah residence which became his and Nelljean's family home. There they raised their eight children, along with many dogs, rabbits, chickens, sheep, cows and a horse.
Among his favorite activities were fishing, his favorite haunts were Island Park, Idaho (at a hole he claimed was the best, still unconfirmed by anyone who went with him) Scofield Reservoir & Strawberry Reservoir. He enjoyed attending football games with his Uncle Doyle Between U of U & BYU. He also enjoyed an endless cycle of any John Wayne cinema he could get a hold of, as well as all Westerns that followed. He was collector of coins as well as rifles. He enjoyed anything and everything Cowboy, Native American memorabilia and enjoyed stories of the Old West. He consumed any book by Louis L'Amour, his favorite author.
Dad, we will miss your catchphrase sayings, "You make a better door than a window", "Time all dogs are dead, aren't you glad you're just a pup", 4am wake upcalls to go fishing with Chips A'hoy cookies in hand. Fishing from sun up to sun down, ("don't you dare touch that pole."). The way we snickered in the back seat on the way there to see who could speak the loudest before you told us to be quiet because you were hard of hearing, the halfway home naps for a quick rejuvenation. And the countless stories, retold countless times, each and every time we passed by or went through a familiar place.
He is survived by his wife, Nelljean, brother, Delwyn "Buzz" Harris (Della Jean), Vicki Gines (Guy), and his eight children, Cort (Charlottle), Nathan (Roxane), Wynn, Kendee Whiting (Andrew), Kyler, Chance, Daylan (Crystal), and Haylee Christensen (Cal). seventeen grandchildren & one great grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents, father LaMoyne, mother Dell, sister Peggy Ann Harris, brother Rick Harris, and granddaughter Jade Harris.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, May 10th, 2024, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah. A visitation will be held prior to the services from 1:00 - 1:45pm. If you would like to watch the recorded services, please click on the blue "Watch Services" button above.
Graveside services and burial will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, May 13th, 2024, at the Sugar City Cemetery in Idaho.
That was a nice obituary. It's been a while, but I remember him as being very kind. Sorry for your loss
I lost my older brother and best friend growing up. We were lucky to grow up in a wonderful place. Sugar City allowed us to walk to our fishing holes, have swimming fun, go to school, have many friends, and grow up working hard. We picked spuds, hauled hay, shocked grain, thinned beets, cleaned chicken coups and anything else we could earn money to spend. We both shot our elk on a special elk hunt. We played basketball, football, and baseball along the way. Stayed close until his passing. I will miss him. I will see him again when I join him.
So sorry for your loss Nelljean, sounds like you had a great life.