David Vernon Partridge Harris, 63, of Orem, UT passed away on Monday May 13th, 2019. He was born on February 23, 1956 in Provo, UT to DeVerle Porter Harris and Jean Marie Partridge. David was a man with a big sensitive and caring heart who always wanted to help those in need.
He had a wonderful sense of humor and a personality full of pizzaz. He was often the life of the party wherever he went. He loved to have a good time.
He was known for his ability to walk into a room and have people notice him for his hard-to-miss good looks and attention-grabbing presence. He was blessed with a big strong body and a natural ability to listen and sensitively communicate to others. Many called him their friend as he loved to listen to people talk about their lives and offer thoughtful advice and support.
Many would say he was a deep thinker. Growing up he played football for State College High in State College, Pennsylvania and won state championships all four years he was on the team. He also was the senior class president.
Later on in adulthood, he chose to become a brick mason and worked so hard and effectively that he worked as a foreman on many jobs throughout his career. The pinnacle of which was working as a foreman on the Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona. He loved a good meal.
He loved to cook, be in the kitchen and savor his food. A love he passed on to his daughters. His two favorite meals were a ribeye steak with mashers and Thanksgiving dinner.
He loved the outdoors, spending time under the trees, and especially loved fishing. He felt like a kid on Christmas morning when he had a fish on his line. It was always entertaining to watch him at the checkout line wherever he went as by the time he had checked out he had exchanged life stories and made friends with the cashier.
He loved to leave the cashier with a laugh and smile and made friends with almost all of them he crossed paths with. He often said his greatest and most favorite accomplishment was having his daughters. He loved being a father and would often remind them that he was the best friend they had and that he was always on their side.
He cherished his daughters and taught them how to love by loving them. His pride in them was undeniable. During the last years of his life, he dedicated most of it to caring for his aging mother who he had always been close to.
He promised her earlier on in life that he would always take care of her. Even throughout his greatest personal challenges of various pains, he honored that promise and selflessly attended to her needs right up until the end of his life when it seemed impossible for him to do. David Harris is survived by his parents: Jean Marie Partridge, DeVerle Porter (Sandra) Harris, His siblings: Randy (Marsha) Harris, Richard Harris, Kirstan (Nathan) Harris, Brett Harris, Todd (Heather) Harris and by his daughters: Elisha Ann Harris, Jessica Marie Jessop who is married to Dr. Vainu’upo Reed Jessop and his one grandson Tavita Ulumatua Jessop who carries David’s name in the Samoan Language.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 22nd at Sundberg Olpin Mortuary located at 495 S. State Street in Orem, UT 84058. (801 225-1530) Funeral services will be held on Wednesday May 22, 2019. The viewing will be from 12:30-1:30 pm and the funeral service will be at 2pm.
Per David’s wishes, he will be cremated. Half of his ashes will be buried at the Orem Cemetery perfectly and lovingly placed under a pine tree facing Squaw Peak. The other part will be scattered at his favorite fishing spot.
The grave will be dedicated the following day.
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