James Keith Harris

Keith was born in Great Falls, Montana, where he lived until he was five years old. His family then relocated to Auburn, Washington, and eventually moved to Sumner, where he completed high school in 1963.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 8,

1963, and served in Vietnam as an aviation ordnanceman. After leaving the Corps, he entered the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Academy and graduated February 12, 1969.

Keith began his law enforcement career as a WSP Trooper and then joined the Port of Seattle Police Department in 1972 as one of its first 35 officers. Keith spent much of his time working at Seattle Tacoma International Airport and he retired on January 1, 1999.

In his later years, Keith took up woodworking, building a playhouse for his granddaughter and making wishing wells in Kent, WA, and Phelan, CA. He valued spending time with his family and with fellow retirees from the Port of Seattle Police “Old Guard.” Keith also enjoyed gardening, was known for giving warm hugs, and told classic “dad” jokes whenever he could.

Keith is preceded in death by his parents, James Norville Harris and Roberta Mildred McGillen Harris, and by his nephew Tommy Huseby. He is survived by his wife, Rachel Otis Harris; his son, David A. Harris, and daughter-in-law, Nilsine; his daughters, Denise Marie Harris and Michelle Renee Brantley; his grandchildren, Kindra Harris Wengerd and her husband Gavin, Bryce Austin, Seth Austin, and Cooper Austin; great-granddaughter, Alexandra Wengerd; as well as many honorary children and grandchildren whom he considered family. He also leaves behind his sister, Bonnie Dotter, his niece, Tammy Buettner and her husband Ken, and great-niece, Jessie and her husband Robert, all of whom he cherished.

Services will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA, at a later date. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

Donate by mail: DAV — Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301

Donate by phone: 877-647-VETS (8387)