Ellsworth James Harris' Obituary
Ellsworth James (Pete) Harris
February 15, 1934 -" March 30, 2010
Pete Harris, 76, went home to be with his heavenly father March 30th, due to complications of lung cancer.
Pete was born in Mitchell, South Dakota, the oldest of three children, to Elmer and Dorothy Harris. Pete attended Notre Dame Academy in Mitchell, South Dakota from 1940-1950 and stories are told he liked to give the nuns a hard time. In 1951 he moved with his parents to Tacoma, WA where he attended Stadium High School, graduating in 1952. Pete was in the Navy from 1952-1954, then joined the Marine Corps from 1954-1974 where he did three tours in Vietnam. He earned many medals and honors, including the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism and performance, and the air medal, just to name a few of many. Pete was very proud to be a Marine. He retired from the Marine Corp in 1974, and attended and graduated from Penn Valley College in Kansas City, MO with a business degree.
Pete re-united with his childhood sweetheart Barb in 2005, after 52 years of being apart; they fell in love again and married in 2006. They shared four wonderful years together. Pete was a sweet, wonderful husband, father, and friend. All who met him loved him and his great sense of humor.
Pete was preceded in death by his mother and father Elmer and Dorothy Harris, and son Marvin. He is survived by his loving wife Barb, three daughters Sherry Pierson (Wes) of Mitchell, SD, Cathy Barringer (Steve) of Sioux Falls, SD, and Diana Martin (Barry) of Sioux Falls, SD; step-daughters Renee Detterich (Lloyd), Jaimie Horn (Rob) of Boise, ID, and sisters Colleen Sheldon (Wayne) and Francis Wilhelm (Dan) of Tacoma, WA; 11 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Lakewood Health Care Center. Also a very special thanks to Pete's nephew Cory Meyers for all his help, love and advice through this difficult time.
Viewing will be held from 12:00-9:00 PM Friday, April 2, 2010 at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood, WA. Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, April 3, 2010 in the Mountain View Garden Chapel.
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