Al Harris, 71

Alton (Al) Raymond Harris, 71, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2003, at St. Alphonsus Hospital surrounded by his family after a battle with cancer.

Arrangements are under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, McMurtrey Chapel. Services will be held at 11 a.m., today, Wednesday, March 12, at Summers Funeral Homes, McMurtrey Chapel, Mountain Home. The Rev. Farrell Ramsey will officiate. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Alton was born Aug. 15, 1931, in Chadron, Neb., and moved with his parents to Mountain Home in December 1942 during World War II and the construction of Mountain Home Air Force Base, where his father operated the commissary.

Alton graduated from Mountain Home High School with the Class of 1949. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1953 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

In 1952, while still attending the University of Idaho, he married Shirley Green.

They celebrated 50 years of marriage July 27, 2002. Al began his Air Force career attending flight schools in Hondo, San Angelo, and San Antonio, Texas. He was later stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base as a pilot in the 9th Air Refueling Squadron.

Alton left the Air Force in 1958 and went into business with his father at Harris Truck and Implement. Later, he managed the dealership until 1984.

After the closing of Harris Truck and Implement, Alton went to work for Nampa International and Burks Tractor until his retirement in 1998.

Since that time he stayed busy with numerous family and community projects.

His service and memberships included: Delta Chi Fraternity, Jaycees, Mountain Home city planning and zoning, library board, Mountain Home Elks BPOE 2276, 12 years as trustee for School District 193 School Board, South-Fork Boise River Senior Center, American Legion Post 26, and Boy Scouts of America on local and district levels.

Alton was a lifelong supporter of the community and was always willing to be involved at any level, his family noted.

Alton had a love of the out-of-doors and especially enjoyed spending time at their cabin in Featherville. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and anything else pertaining to the out-of-doors. He loved to visit with friends and family and was always eager and ready to help a friend, his family said.

Alton is survived by: his wife, Shirley M. (Green) Harris, of Mountain Home; son Michael (Myrna) Harris of Meridian; son Allan (Joni Vann) Harris of Mountain Home; daughter Debbie (Kevin) Freeman of Boise; sisters Ramona Yrazabal of Mountain Home and Jacque (Kenneth) Bloom of Forson; Ga.; a brother David (Rita) Harris of Mountain Home; sister-in-law Rita (Donald G.) Harris of Portland, Ore.; 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond W. Harris, and his mother, Dorothy M. Harris, a brother, Donald G. Harris, and brother-in-law Ralph Yrazabal.

Memorials may be made to the South Fork Boise River Senior Center, 350 N. Pine-Featherville Rd., Pine, ID 83647.