Roger passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, from pancreatic cancer at Hospice House surrounded by his family. He was born on Jan. 12, 1928, to William Hiram Harris Sr. and Ethel Naomi Heathershaw Harris in Rose Lake, Idaho. At the age of 2, his family moved to Coeur d’Alene where he proudly lived the remainder of his life.

Roger was the youngest of four children including William Harris Jr., Merna Jones and Rae Johnson. As a child, Roger loved living close to the river where he and neighbor Gordy Palm had many river adventures swimming and fishing. He also enjoyed special friendships with Lefty Billman, Jim Whaley and Dave Khlem. He enjoyed team sports and played football and baseball in school. After graduating from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1946, he served in the U.S. Army as part of the Occupational Forces in Japan at General Headquarters in Tokyo. After his honorable discharge he attended the University of Idaho for three years.

He met the love of his life, Florence Ann Quentin, at the Dream Theater. They married on Oct. 22, 1949, in Coeur d’Alene and would have celebrated their 67th anniversary in a few short weeks. Roger and Florence raised three daughters, Laurie, Kay and Heather who brought him great pride and joy. While raising his family, he was very involved as president of Winton Elementary PTA, an elder at First Presbyterian Church, a church youth leader, and coached boys basketball teams over a 10-year span in the church league.

He proudly became the neighborhood fix-it man by making the neighborhood skating rink and stilts for all the kids. He enjoyed woodworking whether it was a small project, house remodel, or building his own home and shop after retirement. He was an avid sports fan following the Vikings, U of I football, Mariners, Seahawks, and his beloved Zags. Gardening, camping, huckleberry picking, history, reading, working on his Model A, morning coffee with the guys, Tuesday dinner group, and weekly trips to Hudson’s kept him busy. Roger and Florence also enjoyed fall trips, frequenting the Oregon Coast in search of the best clam chowder in the state. In their golden years, they zip lined while cruising and traveled back east to explore history for themselves.

Roger worked for the Idaho Transportation Department from 1951-1987 as project chief and continued to perform contract work on special projects after retirement. He had a part in the development of most highways and bridges in North Idaho. He enjoyed the many friendships developed over his career and took delight in keeping the office entertained and watchful for his next trick.

Roger is survived by his wife, Florence; daughters Laurie Harris and Robert Burnham of Port Alberni, B.C., Kay Munden and Greg of Post Falls, and Heather Wilson and Dan of Monitor, Wash. He is also grandpa to Lalania and Mike Worley, Heather and Greg Wolf, Mercedes Munden and Hugh Nixon, Drew and Erica Wilson, and Natalie and Jake Sadler. He loved his time as great-grandpa to Bryan, Roger, Jillian, Ruby, Mimi, Madison, Peighton and Hudson. Roger is also survived by sister Rae Johnson of Coeur d’Alene; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 9495 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.

Please visit Roger’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.