Charles Dallas Harris, 90

Charles Dallas Harris, 90, of Clark Fork, Idaho, passed away peacefully May 7, 2024, at home, in the arms of his family. 

Born on Feb. 25, 1934, to David Daniel Harris and Mary Jane Cochran Harris, Charlie grew up with a lively household alongside his siblings James, Hazel, Edgar, Peggy, Helen, Ernie, Richard, and Robert — all of whom passed prior to him. Charlie was cherished for his lively spirit, his affectionate “whiskering” kisses, and his quick wit, leaving behind laughter and love where he went.

Charles married Betty Louise Bell in 1957, with whom he had two sons, Donald Allen and Richard Edward. The marriage ended in divorce and later, Charles remarried Anna Mary Gabriel in 1967. Together, they raised three daughters: Mary Jane, Nancy Carol, and Susan Kimberly.

A skilled roofer and logger, Charles was an adventurer whose work took him from commercial rooftops in Cuba to historical renovations and even north to Alaska — where one of his grandchildren tried to sneak into his suitcase to tag along. He owned a long haul trucking company, worked on lighthouses along the West Coast, and maintained lookout towers. Whether on top a ladder, a roof, or a mountain, he was happiest with the sky above and a challenge beneath his hands.

As a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Charles contributed by building and maintaining the local church. His faith was evident in his everyday life; he often shared his excitement about Jesus’s second coming, and most nights, he would remind his sweetheart Anna, “I’ll meet you at the feet of Jesus.”

He leaves behind his wife, his five children, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; many of whom also reflect his stubbornness and zest for life, traits that have become a Harris family legacy. As we say goodbye to Grandpa Charlie, we remember his favorite farewell, ‘We’ll see you down the road a piece.”