Roy Edward Harris

Roy Edward Harris, age 86, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Friday, August 12, 2022. Roy was born on October 7, 1935 in Rochester, NY to Roy and Johanna Harris.

  Roy grew up in Rochester before joining the Marines where he was stationed in Hawaii. After completing his military service, he moved to Chino, CA to raise his family. He received his BSBA degree from Cal Poly University while working at General Dynamics as an engineer and Ethics Director. After 30 years with GD, Roy finished his career as Manager of the Ethics Department for Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Ca. After retiring, he and his wife Meredith relocated in 2003 to their beautiful home on the Rogue River in Grants Pass, OR.

  Roy was very active in his church, Bethany Presbyterian, where he spent 8 years as an Elder and served as a Stephen Minister. He had such a gentle way with people, and was always looking to help those in need. Roy enjoyed traveling and camping with his wife Meredith in their 5th wheel, monthly poker nights, breakfast with his friends, good food and especially a good dessert. Roy also worked for the State of Oregon as an Ombudsman.

  Roy is survived by his wife of 25 years Meredith, three daughters, Deborah Martin and husband Richard, Donna Ruggiero and husband Tony, and Kathy Johnson and husband Steve, two stepdaughters Kathy Scharer, and Kristie Scharer. Roy also leaves behind six grandchildren, Sean, Annie, Jenny, Lauren, Kelley, and Corey, two step grandchildren Scott, and Katelyn, eleven great grandchildren, and one great, great granddaughter. Roy often liked to jokingly refer to his crew as “The fruit of my loin.,, If you were to ask Roy what his greatest accomplishment in his life was, he would absolutely say “My family!,,

“We are so incredibly blessed to have had PopPop in our life. He was a shining example of what it meant to be a good person. Supportive, loving, kind, and always the first to offer a cookie right when you walked through the door. We are so lucky to have gotten as much time as we did with Pop Pop, but Lord knows it still wasn’t enough.” (from his six grandchildren)

  Roy will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was the kindest, most amazing husband, father, PopPop, and friend. Those lucky enough to have spent time with him are better because he was in their lives.

A memorial service for Roy will be held at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Grants Pass, OR on Saturday, October 1, @ 10:00 AM ( 741 NW 4th St, Grants Pass, OR 97526 )

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Bethany Presbyterian Church (https://www.bethanypresgp.org) or Asante Hospice (https://www.asante.org/services/hospice) in Roy’s name would mean so much.

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