Thorold Dale (TD) Harris, 88, of Lexington, KY passed away peacefully on the morning of February 16, 2015, with his loving wife Cheri at his side.
TD was born February 6, 1927, to Walter Dale and Luella Francis Harris in Mesa, AZ, and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended East High. Near the end of World War II, he served as a seaman first class in the US coast guard and trained as a radarman at Point Loma in San Diego, CA. He was scheduled to deploy to the south pacific on a ship that was eventually sunk. Because he could type proficiently, the Officer of the Day at Alameda Naval Base assigned him to become his personal secretary and his life was spared. After the war, TD and Gloria Peterson (Bushnell) were married June 25, 1952, and later divorced in 1976. TD and Cheryl (Cheri) Christian were married on December 1, 1987.
Dad touched many with his abundant energy, cheerful attitude, love of teaching and service as a physician. He was an educated man and loved to learn and teach throughout his life. He attended the University of Utah where he received his undergraduate degree and was accepted to both the law and medical schools. After a year in law school, he decided he would rather be a physician but his medical school position was already filled. One day by chance at the University, he happened to meet Dr. Louis S. Goodman, the renowned pharmacologist, and offered to help him carry items from his car to his office. Dad offered to work in Dr. Goodman\s laboratory for free which led to a position as a graduate student in pharmacology where he was fortunate to work with one of the great minds in medicine. He earned his master's degree in pharmacology in 1953. He reapplied to medical school, was accepted, and received his MD in 1957. In the late 1950's and early 1960's he specialized as a general surgeon with a year fellowship in vascular surgery. He trained at LDS Hospital, UCLA, the Long Beach Veteran's Hospital and the Long Beach Memorial Hospital. In 1965 he opened a surgical practice in Salt Lake City and practiced until 1981. In 1981 he closed his surgical practice and applied for an anesthesiology residency at the age of 53. For the next 23 years, he practiced as an anesthesiologist at the University of Kentucky and University of Cincinnati. Dad loved to teach medical residents. He blessed thousands of patients with his kind and caring service and trained many skilled physicians to do the same.
Dad loved to teach. Nowhere was that more apparent than when he taught his children and grandchildren the value of persistent effort and hard work to achieve their goals. He would happily share what he knew with anyone who would listen including friends, family, and often complete strangers! We spent many wonderful hours with him learning to garden, golf, ski, swim, water ski, play tennis, and to enjoy life. He loved to visit beautiful places whether Jackson Lake in Wyoming or the beach in Hilton Head, SC. In 2010, Dad and Cheri were awarded first runner up in the residential front yard amateur design category of the Lexington in Bloom contest sponsored by the Lexington Garden Council.
Dad had a close relationship with his brother Dick and together they shared many life experiences. They had a long-standing friendly competition in sports and especially in golf.
At Dad's passing we know he was met by loving family on the other side of the veil and we are looking forward to the day when we will see him again. His family is grateful to his wife Cheri for the love and care she gave Dad during his declining health, and to his grandson AJ who spent the last several months helping with his care.
Dad is survived by his wife Cheryl (Cheri) Christian Harris of Lexington, KY, his stepdaughter Michelle (Randy) Clay, his four children Julie (Geoff) Woods, Laurie (Kent) Cannon, Dale (Christine) Harris, and David Harris, 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Norma Woodland and brother Richard Harris.
A viewing will be held at Larkin Mortuary address 260 E South Temple on Saturday February 28 from 12:45 pm to 1:30 pm. A service to celebrate Dad's life will start at Larkin Mortuary at 1:30 pm. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City cemetery. In memory of Dad, remember to give it "the old college try" in all that you do!
