Leroy McCoy Harris

It is a rare man who manifests the qualities of tenderness, fierce determination, critical thinking, and compassion; all of these were inherent in our dear father, whom we lost on April 14, 2024. He died at home surrounded by his five children, his wife of 28 years, his prior wife of 36 years, and grandchildren. He is survived by 5 adult children, 14 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 5 nieces, 8 nephews, and 5 stepchildren. He is the last surviving Harris child, preceded by his two brothers and older sister. At the time of his death, a new great-granddaughter is on her way. We are grateful he is now at peace and no longer in pain. 

Leroy McCoy Harris was a remarkable person. He was born on May 11, 1937, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the fourth child of Everett Austin and Bertha McCoy Harris. During the depression his mother converted to the Mormon Church and the family moved from Colorado to Ogden, Utah. Leroy was raised under the towering granite peaks of the Wasatch Front, many nights after school walking up Mount Ogden to ski down through the powder. He served an LDS mission for three years in France and Belgium, then attended Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. 

He married Gwen Alice Foley, who grew up with him around the corner from his Fillmore home, on September 15, 1961. Their first child, Lynne Harris Wade, was born while he finished at BYU. Lynne was followed by Brenda Taylor Harris, Robert McCoy Harris, James Foley Harris, and Shannon Noel James Harris. He loved his children and never stopped advising, cajoling, comforting, and inspiring them until he took his last breath. 

The family lived in Salt Lake City, then Bountiful, with an intervening period in the Marshall Islands (Micronesia). They finally settled in Pleasant View, building a new house on 900 West. It was here his children were raised. We remember our father as a man of many talents and a consummate risk taker. He was active in Pleasant View City Council, twice served in the 4^th Ward Bishopric, was an avid hunter and fisherman, learned to shoe his horses himself, grew hay on his own land, and traveled the world. He supported his children in horse show activities through 4-H, Pleasant View Posse, and Utah Paint Horse Association. He continued a challenging career as a United States contract specialist, serving as Chief of Contract Administration for Thiokol Corporation for the majority of his adult life. He was an accomplished tenor with a beautiful voice, serving in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 14 years. Never one to stop working or languish in leisure, Leroy spent his retirement years until the week he died as a property developer and contractor, seeing three housing developments to completion. 

Leroy and Gwen later divorced, and he married Patricia Kay Cook in 1996. They enjoyed a great deal of travel in their later years, enjoying spending time with their Scotties, grandchildren and children, with vacation properties in Idaho and Saint George. Pat was his constant companion for the last 28 years of his life, never faltering in her caring and dedication to Dad. He was the love of her life, and she let him know every single day. Ever the negotiator and peacemaker, Leroy maintained a relationship with his first wife until the end of his life. She was at bedside as he passed, Patricia, on the other side. He never let a day go by with a hard feeling from one of his children or a rift in communication. Although he rarely told them, he was extremely proud of his children and their accomplishments. 

Leroy left an amazing legacy. He instilled in his children the values of hard work, determination, thrift, and the power of intuition. His compassion for the vulnerable, sensitivity to human connections, and love of animals and mother nature are unparalleled. He loved his dogs and horses with a deep sensitivity, always mourning their loss. These values are infused in his children. He could be relied upon to provide advice, suggestions in a quandary, or a humorous observation. Goodbye Dad. The absence of your presence is felt in every moment, but we know you are comforting and guiding us still. 

A special thank you to Atlas Hospice and Dad’s dear nurse, Ronal. We are grateful to Dad and Pat’s caretaker for this past year, Jennifer Frongner. Both of these women provided Dad, Pat, and the entire family with tremendous support and compassion during this difficult time. 

Leroy’s funeral services will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 N Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.