Phillip Duane Harris' Obituary
PHILLIP DUANE HARRIS
Phillip Duane Harris, age 86, passed away in Provo, Utah on October 25, 2022.
He was born in Price, Utah, on December 6, 1935 on the kitchen table. His parents were Orville K. Harris and Ruby Nancy Redd. He lived in Price, Utah; Grand Junction, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Provo, Utah; and San Dimas, California before finally settling in Orem, Utah for the last 50 years.
He served a mission in the Netherlands (Holland) mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1956-1958, serving as a Branch and District President as well as a Language Teacher for new missionaries. Returning home, he re-enrolled at BYU and joined the National Guard Military Intelligence Linguistic Company. He served six months active-duty training at Fort Ord, California in the United States Army.
He was married to G. Renee Waters on October 23, 1959, in the Salt Lake Temple by Elder Hugh B. Brown. They celebrated their 62nd Wedding Anniversary just a few days ago. They have five children, two girls and three boys who they raised in San Dimas, California and Orem, Utah.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from BYU in August 1961, and with a Master of Religious Education degree in May 1965. He was hired to teach in the Church Education System where he taught Seminary and Institute in Utah and California. He completed a Doctor of Education degree at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, in 1972. He was recruited by BYU in September of 1972 to be the Chairman of the Conferences and Workshops Department and later as the Founding Director of the BYU Conference Center. He also served as the State Director of Elderhostel programs. For four years, he and Renee directed three weeklong bus tours to American Heritage and Church History sites for BYU Travel Study. Following his retirement from BYU in 1990, he started his own software company, MeetingWare, developing and marketing software for other university Continuing Education operations.
He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life and served as a bishop in California as well as a Branch President of a BYU Married Student ward in Utah. He was heavily involved for many years in the Scouting program and helped his three boys earn their Eagle Scout awards along with many others. He participated in the Wood Badge adult program and for his numerous years of scouting service was awarded the Silver Beaver. Between the years of 2010-2015 he and Renee were church service missionaries.
He had a ready smile, loved to laugh and make people happy and always enjoyed telling a good joke. His warm personality drew others to him, especially children and youth. He was constantly spreading joy as he always took an interest in the lives of those around him. His love of life never waned even through his challenging final years.
He is predeceased by his parents and his daughter Julia Harris Haupt. Survivors include his wife, Renee Harris, Orem, Utah; daughter Michelle (Reed) Adams, Oceanside, California; his sons: Scott (Danette) Harris, Springville, Utah; Mark (Cori), Cedar Hills, Utah, and Dale (Linda), Grand Junction, Colorado; 21 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Also, three siblings: Kenneth (Carol) Harris, Lynn (Gerilyn) Harris, and Cecelia (Eric) Fielding.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Saturday, October 29, 2022 at the Cherry Hill 3rd ward chapel, 1650 S. 200 E., Orem, UT. A viewing will be held prior to services from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Interment at Orem City Cemetery.
Link to services: https://youtu.be/AEVfD8r8IHk
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