Alden Thomas Harris Jr., 82

Alden Thomas Harris Jr. passed away May 17, 2021, after a long battle with cancer.

Thom was born to Alden and Virginia Harris on July 13, 1938. He spelled his name with an “h”, in deference to his maternal grandparents, who were of Swedish and Norwegian descent. He was raised in Highland Park, Illinois, located on the cliffs overlooking Lake Michigan. As a kid, he spent every waking hour playing and exploring the wonderful beaches. He was a Life Scout and Sea Scout.

Thom won many awards for competitive swimming in high school and was recruited by the coach at Southern Illinois University, where he won more accolades. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with emphasis on painting. Thom was also a talented guitar, banjo and harmonica player. He was a folk singer all his life, starting with Stephen Foster and Southern gospel songs taught to him by his beloved grandfather, Leon.

He began his professional music career in Chicago shortly after graduating college in 1962; he then joined the United States Air Force after the Cuban Missile Crisis. While in Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, he married his college sweetheart and then was commissioned in January 1963 to Misawa Air Base in Japan. On Oct. 12 their son, Toby, was born at the base hospital.

Also in October 1963, after a few months as an assistant base administrative officer, he was appointed commander of the Headquarters Squadron of the 439th Combat Support Group. While attending to his duties as a commanding officer, Thom formed a four-piece folk music group that played for events on and off base. He and his group, “The Travelers,” took their leave time to tour Japan, South Korea and Okinawa. He also coached the base youth swim team, “The Misawa Dolphins,” and led them to 5th Air Force Champs in one year and All-Pacific AF Champs in two years.

After his honorable discharge, he returned to the Chicago area to restart his musical career at the Earl of Old Town. In 1968 he launched into a solo tour of the USA with a backpack and guitar for the next 22 years.

In 1990 he returned to Chicago, met, and married the love of his life, Nancy Sue Mullenix. After working the next seven years in folk music clubs and as a street musician, he and Nancy moved to Kalispell to be with family.

Thom was preceded in death by his parents, Alden and Virginia, and his grandson, Tristan Alden Harris.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Nancy; his sisters, Julie Harris of Naples, Florida, and Kitty Kellogg of Ferndale, Montana; brother, Dan Harris of Fort Meyers, Florida; son, Alden T. Harris lll, and grandchildren, Logan and Marlo Harris of Dana Point, California.

There will be a small family gathering this summer to celebrate Thom’s life. May he be at peace in his new home of the promised land.

In his honor, donations to Flathead County Animal Shelter or All Mosta Ranch in Marion would be greatly appreciated.