Burton H. Harris

Burton H Harris passed away on June 13, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a valiant fight against Cancer. He was preceded in death by his Wife Vivian, his Granddaughter MaeLynn, and Bother and Sisters: Bill Harris, Helen White, and Alice Griffiths.
Burton was born in Richmond, Utah in 1929 to William Zera and Iris Hendricks Harris. Burton spent his early years in Richmond on the family farm, and then moved to Logan where he received his education. He served a Mission to the East Central States from 1949-1951. He Married his “Sweetheart” Eva Vivian Nichols in the Logan Temple in November 1951, and was the proud father of 6 children, David (Cindy) Harris, Lee (Pamela) Harris, Delsa (Steve) Thorne, Gary (Valerie) Harris, Alice (Brent) Redd, Karen (Richard) Orgill, 21 Grandchildren, and 23 Great Grandchildren. Burt joined the Army in 1953 and served as an Artillery Officer at Ft. Sill, OK and at Ft. Lewis, WA. He was honorably discharged to attend Law School in 1955. He attended Utah State University, and then pursued his law degree at the University Of Utah graduating in 1958. He had a long and distinguished career as Logan City Attorney, Cache County Attorney 1962-1979, Utah State Bar President 1971-1972, Private Law Practice of Harris Preston & Chambers, First Circuit Judge 1988-1996, and First District Judge 1996-1998. He was very respected by the law enforcement and legal communities as a fair and honest judge. While he was busy with his career, at the young age of 28 he also served as Bishop of the 16th Ward in Logan, USU High Council, and numerous other church callings in his own home Ward. His life was dedicated to serving mankind from behind the bench as judge, and community as well.
He loved farming, and spent any free time he had in Richmond at his Brother Bill’s farm. He loved to get up early in the morning and take his boys up to help with chores. He purchased some land when his boys were teenagers to share his love of the dirt with. They didn’t love the experience nearly as much as their dad did, but from that experience they learned many valuable lessons on how to work together, and that’s why he loved it so much. He started a sod business next to his home in North Logan, and all his Grandchildren were able to go to work with Grandpa and get dirty. He was always generous with his customers. His family was the joy of his life, and the time spent at the family cabin at Cottonwood Lake, WY was very special. It was there where the family first heard his testimony of the gospel, while seated on logs and heard of his love of his own parents, and siblings in his life. These times at the lake were the closest and dearest memories that we children have with dad.
He loved his dear wife Vivian. They had a love and friendship that lasted 59 wonderful years until her passing last year. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with good friends and family. When she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he lovingly cared for her needs, keeping her at home where she was surrounded by her family. Burt made sure her grave was always decorated with her favorite flowers and he loved to visit her. After she was gone he turned to his attention to his family and spent many happy moments with his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Just last week he attended a family home evening up at his cabin in Logan Canyon, where he shared his testimony of Christ and received a special tie for Father’s Day with 67 signatures on it from his family.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00pm on Monday, June 18, 2012 in the North Logan 5th Ward Chapel at 2750 North 800 East, North Logan. A viewing will be held on Sunday, June 17th, at Allen Hall Mortuary 34 E. Center Street, Logan from 6 – 8 PM and on Monday, June 18th from 10:00 – 11:30am at the Ward Meeting House. The family expresses their thanks to all of the Intermountain Health Care Hospice workers, and Chaplain for their loving care of our Dad. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Church of Jesus Christ Perpetual Education Fund.