Charlie Charlie S. Harris

Charlie Harris, 84, passed away Friday, February 19, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Charlie was born in Martin, South Dakota on May 29, 1931 to Inez (Allbee) Harris and William “Bill” Harris. He graduated from Bennett County High School in Martin, South Dakota in 1949. Charlie was drafted into the Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War. He married Peggy Jane Pike on October 4, 1953. He was discharged from the Army in February, 1954 and he and Peggy then moved to Aurora, Colorado. He worked for the telephone company, Mountain Bell, for 30 years and retired in 1984.

Charlie and Peggy loved the mountains, built a cabin in Granby, Colorado, and spent the next 10 years between Colorado and Mesa, Arizona. They moved to Mesa full time where they became very active at Church of the Master Presbyterian and helped run the food bank. They enjoyed many activities with friends and family such as golf, travel, and an occasional “honk”.

Charlie was a gifted athlete and an avid sports fan. He was a hunter, a fisherman, and played on telephone company softball, basketball and bowling teams. He loved watching his children play sports. He enjoyed all Denver professional sports teams, most especially the Denver Broncos. Charlie was a dedicated family man and in his early days of retirement he spent many hours watching his granddaughters Allison and Amber grow up playing soccer and basketball.

Charlie is preceded in death by his mother Inez Harris, father Bill Harris and brothers Robert “Bob” Harris, and Harold “Bud” Harris.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Peggy, Aurora, CO, son Brian Harris, Knoxville, TN, daughter Lisa (Jon) Berquist, Wheat Ridge, CO, and daughter Karen (Eric) Aluise, Highlands Ranch, CO, 9 grandchildren, and 5 (soon to be 6) great-grandchildren.

Viewing will be held, Friday, February 26, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. with services at 10 a.m. at Olinger Hampden Mortuary. Burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery at noon.

Following the burial, the family will celebrate Charlie’s life at the home of Peggy Harris in Aurora, CO.