Philip Lee Hari

A self-described “Rascal”, Phil was the oldest of five children born to Waler and Ida Hari of Silverton, Oregon in 1939. He attended a tiny, two room grammar school and eventually ended up at Gervais High School after his family moved to the district, his Junior Year. He managed the basketball team while attending high school and graduated in 1958.  After graduation he decided to go see more of “The big world” and somehow felt that Fairbury Indiana fit the bill. Under his Uncle Don Scharer’s guidance Phil became skilled at Decorative Masonry and Brick Laying, which served him well throughout his life as an additional source of income. His work can still be admired at many homes throughout Silverton and Salem, as well as his own home in Hubbard, Oregon. He also lived in Illinois and Seattle, working for Boeing for a short time, but it was his time in Fairbury that he liked the most, often recalling his time there with fondness and nostalgia. Phil eventually returned to Oregon and met Sharon Feiring who he went on to marry and have two children with.  In the 1980’s he found work with Judson’s Plumbing and heating and worked there until his retirement about 15 years ago. While their marriage did not last Phil and Sharon remained friends. Sharon lived with Phil in her later years until her death in 2019.

Phil had an eclectic mix of hobbies but more than anything, he enjoyed making new friends and having long conversations.  He liked to travel and would often take the train just for the opportunity of meeting new people. He also played the accordion by ear of which he was self-taught and could play almost any song within an hour after hearing it for the first time. He passed on his love of History and Politics to his daughter Vicki and his appreciation for college football and classic cars to is son, Danny. A common call to attention in the Hari household was “Name the Capitols to the States”. From the time his kids were barely old enough to talk, he played memory games with them, teaching them all kinds of trivia but particularly each capitol to every state in the US.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Sharon Feiring, and his second wife, Patricia Hari.  He is survived by his children, Victoria West (Tony) of Keizer, OR, and Daniel Hari of Tualatin, OR, as well as his siblings, Howard (Phyllis), Janice Gudeman (Richard), Dale (Sherry), and Harold (Linda).  He is also survived by two grandchildren, Brennon Hunt and Tyson Hari.

He is already profoundly missed. His voice, his laugh, his goofy jokes and quick wit will forever be remembered as some of the best times of our lives. We are all blessed to have known him.

A viewing is scheduled on Thursday, September 9, from 2:30 until 5:00 PM at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Home.  Graveside services will be held at Bethany Pioneer Cemetery in Silverton at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 10.  There will be a reception following the graveside service at the Apostolic Christian Fellowship Hall at Central Howell. All are welcome to attend both events.