Mike was born January 22nd 1949 to Pat and Georgia Harris in Bellingham, WA. Mike received his education and welding degree in Yakima. He met the love of his life at 14 and would later marry Alva L. Persinger on June 6th, 1966 in Yakima. He and Alva made their home 53 years in the Yakima Valley, where they raised two beautiful daughters, Angela and Michelle. Michael was the embodiment of family, love, charity, compassion and community. He was a devoted family man that cherished his wife, daughters and grandchildren. He loved his brother David and sister-in-law Barbara, father-in-law Shorty (Claud), and mother-in-law Zada Griffith as well as the rest of the family.
He loved getting into his 31 ft. motorhome with his wife and yorkie, Lulu. He enjoyed traveling and fishing allover but his favorite spot was what he called milepost 17 on the Columbia River. His cousin Jimmy Harmon and his wife would come and setup for catfishing at night.
Michael worked as a carpenter/teacher and was a certified lead removal expert. He could build a house from start to finish, was a master of landscaping and underground sprinkler systems. He loved his job and there was never a job he couldn’t do. He worked hard his entire life but cancer would eventually force him into retirement from OIC. Michael worked all over thie Valley, working on homes and touching the hearts of those he served. He went above and beyond any job he performed. Mike’s talent far exceeded all expectation and his love of his work showed. Mike was filled with truth, faith and kindness.
Mike is survived by his wife, Alva; daughters Angela and Michelle, grandchildren Georgia Emery, Michael and Allen Harris and his brother David (Barbara) Harris.
He was preceded in death by his parents Georgia Maxine Persinger, Grover Eugene Harris and stepfather Leo Alvin Persinger, as well as numerous uncles, aunts, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law and nephews. We knew the Lord needed another carpenter and called him home.
“If for some reason
we come up missing,
don’t look for us,
we are with the Lord fishing.”
A funeral service will be held at Keith & Keith Funeral Home on Friday, May 31, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a graveside service at Tahoma Cemetery in Yakima.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com
