David William Harris passed away Sept. 20, after a courageous battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

David was born Aug. 23, 1957, in Burns, where he was also raised and educated. He married Paula (Clark) Harris on April 11, 1983, and then moved his family to Springfield. During his years there, he worked as a warehouseman, collator operator, and then a purchasing agent for a printing manufacturer. After many years in Springfield, he moved his family to Seal Rock, where he became a meat cutter at a local grocery store. After a few years on the coast, he decided he needed to be “back on the right side of the mountains” and moved to Redmond. During those years, he was a meat cutter and then a warehouseman before finding the job he enjoyed the most, a medical courier.

David loved his family and held a special place in his heart for his pets. He was an avid hiker, so much so, that after high school, he and his buddy, Tim, hitchhiked from Burns to Key West, Fla. It was an adventure filled with amazing stories. His hiking didn’t end there, as he continued to hike wherever his travels took him. He loved the Cascade Mountain Range and was always looking for a new trail to conquer. He was never a fan of easy, flat trails because he wanted the trails that led him uphill…always uphill. He said his hiking time was his worship time, his spiritual time with God, which is likely why he wanted to climb higher and higher.

He was a special man with simple needs. He wanted for little and gave so much. He was loved by his family and adored by his grandchildren.

He is survived by his mother, Donna Mae (Kersey) Harris; sisters, Sheryl Vaterlaus and Jill Harrie, all of Boise, Idaho; brother, Steve Harris, of Eugene; son, Robert Harris, of Redmond; wife, Paula (Clark) Harris, of Redmond; and grandchildren, Alexis, Sebastian, Jeremiah, and Amelia.

He was preceded in death by his father, William “Bud” Harris; and son, Anthony John Harris.

At David’s request, no formal service will be held. Instead, on Aug. 23, 2019, family and friends will be gathering at the Steens Mountain Resort in Frenchglen to scatter his ashes over Kiger Gorge, a place he well-loved. It is open to all who cherished him.

In lieu of flowers and cards, David requested that any honorary gestures be contributed by way of donation to the Gleason Foundation www.teamgleason.org. This organization was very instrumental in assisting David find comfort and peace while battling ALS. The family would consider it an honor if donations were made to this foundation in David’s name.