Mel Martin Harris was born November 21, 1964, in Eugene, Oregon, to Richard Eugene and JoAnn Lea Hardiman Harris. He died Saturday, September 4, 2021, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 56 years. Mel grew up in Eugene, Baker City, and Pendleton, Oregon. He graduated from Pendleton High School Class of 1983. He was a veteran of the armed forces having served six years for his country honorably with the United States Army. He was married January 7, 1989, in Salina, Kansas, to Lynn Day. Mel was two years a material logistics specialist with American Airlines in Tulsa. Before that he was a lift driver at Walmart Distribution Center in Ochelata, Oklahoma and shipping Supervisor at Precision Components in Owasso, Oklahoma. He enjoyed a variety of pastimes including walking his dogs. He especially loved being a Dad and Grandpa.
Those he leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include:
Wife; Lynn, of the home
Children; Alex Harris and wife Kayla, of Edmond, Oklahoma
Jackie Harris, of Skiatook, Oklahoma
Zach Harris of Skiatook, Oklahoma
Grandchildren; Maddox and Bay Ray
Brother; Cal Harris and wife Midge, of Hermiston, Oregon
Mother; JoAnn Harris, of Pendleton, Oregon
Stepmother; Priscilla Harris, of Baker, Oregon
In-laws; Jon and Shirley Day, of Collinsville, Oklahoma
Sister and brother-in-law; Jeanie and Gary Phillips, Sheryl and Richie Briggs, and Debi Day
Special mention; Tatyana Freter and husband Gibson, and their son Liam, of Owasso, Oklahoma
And a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Harris.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 9, 2021, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 10, 2021, at Friendship Baptist Church in Owasso with Pastor Linzy Slayden officiating. Serving as casket bearers will be Alex Harris, Zach Harris, Cal Harris, Wyatt Harris, Travis Foster, and Tyler Phillips. Committal service and interment with military honors will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 13, 2021, at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. The family requests memorial contributions be made in Mel’s memory to the Skiatook American Legion Post #131, 723 West Rogers Boulevard, Skiatook, Oklahoma 74070. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
www.moweryfs.com
