Harris Eckhardt LaVine Jr.

It is with overwhelming sorrow that the family announces the passing of Harris “Pete” LaVine, age 86, on February 5, 2026, in Hickory, North Carolina, where he and his beloved wife, Sharon (Danielson), formerly of Superior, made their home. He passed away after a hard, yet reasonably short, battle with pneumonia. Words cannot fully express the depth of sorrow his family feels. He will be profoundly missed.

Pete was born and raised in Superior’s East End to Harris and Marian LaVine. He attended Franklin School, Nelson Dewey Elementary, and East High School, graduating in 1958.

After working locally for several years, Pete joined the United States Air Force in 1962. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and was later assigned to Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas. While home on leave, he married the love of his life, Sharon Danielson, on July 10, 1962. Their marriage would span 63 beautiful years.

Following a year in Topeka, Pete was transferred to Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana, for a three-year tour of duty during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He often told the story of standing watch as the underground missile silo opened thunderously, ready to launch at the touch of a button. It was a sobering and frightening moment in history that he never forgot.

While stationed in Montana, their son Todd was born in 1964, the apple of his father’s eye. After Pete’s honorable discharge in 1966, the family returned to Superior, where their daughter Christina was born. He adored his children and took great pride in providing for and protecting his family.

Pete’s working years reflected his steady character and tireless work ethic. He began post-military employment at Midland Coop on Tower Avenue in Superior, where he enjoyed servicing vehicles and connecting with customers. He later worked as an automotive parts specialist at the JC Penney Automotive Center at Miller Hill Mall in Duluth, Minnesota. To provide even more for his growing family, he also worked evenings at Midland Coop on Belknap Street. His final place of employment before retiring in 1997 was Newman Automotive on Ogden Avenue in Superior, where he once again served customers as a trusted automotive parts man.

In 2008, after Sharon’s retirement, they moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where they leased a condo on the beach and embraced a season of well-earned enjoyment. In 2011, longing once again for a home of their own, they settled in Hickory, North Carolina, near Sharon’s sister.

Pete was a decent, hard-working man with a heart of gold. A close relative once described him as “one of the good guys,” and those who knew him would agree. He was kind, tender-hearted, and always willing to lend a hand. As a husband, he cherished Sharon and placed her on a pedestal. As a father, he loved deeply and consistently. He adored his grandchildren and absolutely cherished his great-grandchildren, who were bright lights in his later years. Nothing brought him more joy than watching the generations grow.

He was also known for his passions: his beloved Green Bay Packers, his award-winning 1957 Chevy that he and his brother built from scratch, and his striking red 1993 Ford Lightning. He took pride in craftsmanship, loyalty, and simple pleasures.

Pete is survived by his wife, Sharon, of Hickory, North Carolina; his son, Todd (Jodi) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; his daughter, Christina, of Hickory, North Carolina; six adult grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren: Rachel (Michael) McPhearson and Rowan; Noelle (Brian) Romito and Kinsley, Easton, and expected baby September 2026; Aaron (Caitlyn) Keup and Bryleigh and Fynlee; Olivia (Joe) Seline and Zeke, Bellamy, and expected baby May 2026; Katie (Brandon) Bokinskie and Wyatt; and Jesse (Kaylee) LaVine and Reuben. He is also survived by his brother, Jon (Colleen) LaVine of Duluth, Minnesota, along with many cousins and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Gene LaVine.

Though our hearts are heavy, we do not grieve without hope. Pete’s life was marked by quiet faith, steady strength, sacrificial love, and unwavering devotion to his family. His legacy lives on in the character of his children, the laughter of his grandchildren, and the bright eyes of his great-grandchildren. We find comfort in God’s promises and the assurance that this farewell is not forever. One day there will be a joyful reunion. Until that day, we hold tightly to the hope of eternity and give thanks for a life well lived, a marriage that endured, and a man who truly was one of the good guys.