James Carr Harris
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5A Obituary - April 1, 2020
March 1, 1933 - March 16, 2020
James Carr Harris Jr., 87,
passed away peacefully, March
16, 2020, at Grand River
Hospital in Rifle, Colorado, with
his daughter, Tina, by his side.
He entered joyously into the
presence of his Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
Jim was born on March 1,
1933, to Pearl Smith and James Harris Sr. in Aguilar, Colorado. He
graduated high school in Gunnison and joined the Air Force where
he spent four years serving his country. Jim returned to Gunnison
where he married Dixie Stott and they had two children, Tina and
Wayne. The family would soon move to Carbondale. Jim and Dixie
would part ways in early 1970. Jim continued to live and work in
Carbondale. He would start his own construction company in 1979,
and would construct many homes throughout the Roaring Fork
Valley, Rifle and Parachute area.
Jim met Maryan Pharo in 1988, in Grand Junction and they
married in Granby in May, 1994. Shortly after they both retired,
they moved to Granby where Jim remodeled Maryan’s family cabin
that overlooked the lake. They lived there happily, taking time to
explore their home state of Colorado often taking hikes, biking, or
cross country skiing. Their home was a gathering place for friends
and family. In the early 2000s, Jim and Maryan began camp-hosting
in the campgrounds of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona during the
winter months. They enjoyed exploring new areas, socializing and
making new friends.
Due to an illness in late 2014, Jim and Maryan relocated to
Battlement Mesa. They enjoyed the milder winters, warmer weather,
and the closeness of family. Maryan passed away in October of
2016, and Jim mourned her loss each day for the rest of his life. He
never quite got over the loss of his best friend.
Jim loved his family and boasted often to friends about them. We
will remember him as an ornery sort that was known to speak his
mind. He gave of himself to others generously and without pause.
His faith was strong and he loved his Lord and was never afraid to
share his faith with others.
Jim is survived by daughter, Tina (Dale) Bingman, Silt, and
son, Wayne (Pam) Harris, Grand Junction; brother, David (Anita)
Harris, Greeley; step-daughters, Diane Rickstrew, Debeque, and
Lynn Collins, Pueblo; granddaughters, Amanda Bingman, Jessica
Proctor, Annika O’Rourke, Kourtney Gilliam, and Hannah Harris;
grandsons, Zachary Bingman and Robert Harris; seven greatgrandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Maryan Pharo; parents,
Pearl (Smith) and James Harris, Sr.; sisters, Joyce Messer and June
Perusek, and brother, William Harris.
Jim was surrounded by a close-knit group of friends that cared
deeply for him. The family extends their deepest heartfelt gratitude
to Ted and Betty Birdsill, Rich Reynolds, Marty Thompson, Pam
Keller, and Debra Fick and the many others who called on him
daily.
A celebration of life for Jim is postponed to an unknown date due
to the current pandemic. Once a date has been set, the family
