Leroy McCoy Harris
May 11, 1937 — April 14, 2024
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 passed away 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 and 8 nephews. He is the last surviving Harris child, preceded by his two brothers and older sister. We are grateful he is now at peace and no longer in pain.
Leroy McCoy Harris was born on May 11, 1937, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the fourth child of Everett Austin and Bertha McCoy Harris. The family later moved from Colorado to Ogden, Utah. 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 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, where he was active in Pleasant View City Council, twice served in the 4th Ward Bishopric, raised horses, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. In his free time, he traveled the world. He continued a challenging career as Chief of Contract Administration for Thiokol Corporation until he retired. He was an accomplished tenor with a beautiful voice, serving in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 14 years. Leroy and Gwen later divorced, and he married Patricia Kay Cook in 1996. Pat was his constant companion the last 28 years of his life, never faltering in her caring and service to Dad. He spent his retirement years as a property developer and contractor, seeing three housing developments to completion.
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 are unparalleled. These values are infused in his children. He could always be relied upon to provide advice, suggestions in a quandary, or a humorous observation. The absence of his presence is felt in every moment, but we know he is 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 Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.
Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com.