Thomas Lee Harris, Sr., 74

Thomas Lee Harris, Sr., 74, died Sept. 5, 2007, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, after an illness of five months caused by pancreatic cancer.

He was born Dec. 25, 1932, in Devol, Okla., the son of Judge Calvin and Artie Mabel Harris. He graduated from high school in Beulah, N.D. and continued his education in California. In 1950 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Greenland and Korea and was honorably discharged from the military in 1953.

In 1952, Tom and Lorreta Bell married. They had three children. A divorce followed. In 1968 Tom and Mary Tombrink married.

Tom followed his father's occupation as a steam fitter and mechanical superintendent on projects ranging from oil refineries to paper mills. In 1970, he moved to Montana and always enjoyed coming home to Whitefish after a project.

Biking, flying, boating, fishing and inventing were his primary hobbies. Tom held the TBI support group and Hospice in high regard for having provided him with invaluable support and caring. Neighbors and relatives have made his last months more bearable and he leaves endearing gratitude to them.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; James, Jerry and Ronald; and by two sisters, Virginia and Eva Jo.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, at the family home; a sister, Pat Clamp in Corning, N.Y.; three children, Tom Jr., Ken, and Elaine and their families in Texas. He was very proud of his seven grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

At the request of Mr. Harris no memorial services are to be held. Enurnment will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kalispell.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.