Melvin J.R. Harris, 84, passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2021.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 11, 2021 at McLaren's Chapel in West Des Moines. A private family burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.
Melvin, "Sonny" to his friends and siblings, was born in Weldon, IA to Melvin and Gladys Harris on September 1, 1936.
The work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and self-reliance he developed growing up on an Iowa farm served him well during a long, industrious career.
After graduating from Weldon High School in 1954, he started off humbly in the clothing industry stocking shelves for Brody's, a Des Moines firm. He rose steadily and quickly, culminating as a senior Vice President for Block Industries, a large national clothing manufacturer and distributer. For relaxation, he ran a t-shirt concession at the Iowa State Fair for over 30 years.
Melvin was an intelligent, hard worker and was happiest when busy, though he did take time to spend summers with his family on the beach in North Carolina. His children cherish the memories of those idyllic summers.
Melvin is survived and remembered fondly by his wife of 57 years, Jan; two children, Brian (Anne) Harris and Roxanne (Tim) Mason; he also leaves behind a sister, Beverly; brother, Bernard (Arlene); nephew, Michael Allen; and nieces, Deb Coates and Tracy Semanko.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association of Iowa.
McLaren's Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary & Resthaven Cemetery
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 11, 2021 at McLaren's Chapel in West Des Moines. A private family burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.
Melvin, "Sonny" to his friends and siblings, was born in Weldon, IA to Melvin and Gladys Harris on September 1, 1936.
The work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and self-reliance he developed growing up on an Iowa farm served him well during a long, industrious career.
After graduating from Weldon High School in 1954, he started off humbly in the clothing industry stocking shelves for Brody's, a Des Moines firm. He rose steadily and quickly, culminating as a senior Vice President for Block Industries, a large national clothing manufacturer and distributer. For relaxation, he ran a t-shirt concession at the Iowa State Fair for over 30 years.
Melvin was an intelligent, hard worker and was happiest when busy, though he did take time to spend summers with his family on the beach in North Carolina. His children cherish the memories of those idyllic summers.
Melvin is survived and remembered fondly by his wife of 57 years, Jan; two children, Brian (Anne) Harris and Roxanne (Tim) Mason; he also leaves behind a sister, Beverly; brother, Bernard (Arlene); nephew, Michael Allen; and nieces, Deb Coates and Tracy Semanko.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association of Iowa.
McLaren's Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary & Resthaven Cemetery
Melvin J.R. Harris, 84, passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2021.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 11, 2021 at McLaren's Chapel in West Des Moines. A private family burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.
Melvin, "Sonny" to his friends and siblings, was born in Weldon, IA to Melvin and Gladys Harris on September 1, 1936.
The work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and self-reliance he developed growing up on an Iowa farm served him well during a long, industrious career.
After graduating from Weldon High School in 1954, he started off humbly in the clothing industry stocking shelves for Brody's, a Des Moines firm. He rose steadily and quickly, culminating as a senior Vice President for Block Industries, a large national clothing manufacturer and distributer. For relaxation, he ran a t-shirt concession at the Iowa State Fair for over 30 years.
Melvin was an intelligent, hard worker and was happiest when busy, though he did take time to spend summers with his family on the beach in North Carolina. His children cherish the memories of those idyllic summers.
Melvin is survived and remembered fondly by his wife of 57 years, Jan; two children, Brian (Anne) Harris and Roxanne (Tim) Mason; he also leaves behind a sister, Beverly; brother, Bernard (Arlene); nephew, Michael Allen; and nieces, Deb Coates and Tracy Semanko.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association of Iowa.
McLaren's Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary & Resthaven Cemetery
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 11, 2021 at McLaren's Chapel in West Des Moines. A private family burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.
Melvin, "Sonny" to his friends and siblings, was born in Weldon, IA to Melvin and Gladys Harris on September 1, 1936.
The work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and self-reliance he developed growing up on an Iowa farm served him well during a long, industrious career.
After graduating from Weldon High School in 1954, he started off humbly in the clothing industry stocking shelves for Brody's, a Des Moines firm. He rose steadily and quickly, culminating as a senior Vice President for Block Industries, a large national clothing manufacturer and distributer. For relaxation, he ran a t-shirt concession at the Iowa State Fair for over 30 years.
Melvin was an intelligent, hard worker and was happiest when busy, though he did take time to spend summers with his family on the beach in North Carolina. His children cherish the memories of those idyllic summers.
Melvin is survived and remembered fondly by his wife of 57 years, Jan; two children, Brian (Anne) Harris and Roxanne (Tim) Mason; he also leaves behind a sister, Beverly; brother, Bernard (Arlene); nephew, Michael Allen; and nieces, Deb Coates and Tracy Semanko.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association of Iowa.
McLaren's Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary & Resthaven Cemetery
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