Harry Edward Mabis Sr.

Harry Edward Mabis Sr. 90, a former resident of Drake, Colorado, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020, at Vanderbilt Medical Hospital Nashville, Tennessee. Harry was born April 8, 1930, in Savoy, Illinois to Charles M. and Ethel M. (Shaw) Mabis. In 1948 Harry married Betty Jane Young.

In 1948 he also joined the U.S. Navy at Naval Training Center-Great Lakes and was a recruit of the most elite Company 7 at Camp Berry. In the Navy, he was assigned as Yeoman, Admin, and Aid to Fleet Admiral Felix B. Stump, Commander of the Atlantic Naval Forces in Norfolk, Virginia.

After leaving the service the family moved to Arkansas and eventually back to Illinois. He and his family ran numerous automotive businesses, gas stations, towing, and used automotive sales over the years in Rantoul, Champaign Illinois region. Up until August 1976 when, Harry, Betty, and 6 of their 8 children and their families moved to Fort Collins, CO. Once again, the family ran their business operation in Fort Collins known as Harry’s Red Carpet Auto Sales & Service for 9 years. Then moved and reopened their business in Loveland CO as Harry’s Discount Auto Sales & Service where they operated for another 20 years. Over the course of the next 10 years, he became semi-retired and co-operated a food concession stand Harry’s Mobile Food Service with his son Roy for several years, outside of Home Depot in Loveland CO. During his retirement year's he finished and sold the family cabin in the Boulder Ridge area of Wyoming. He then moved to Drake, CO where he built three more cabins, two of which he sold, and resided in the third before moving to Tennessee.

Our dad was a hard-working man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Written on the side of his tow trucks was “BY ACCIDENT WE MEET” because he knew he would meet someone needing his help.

He enjoyed working with his hands and had a passion for restoring classic automobiles and antique equipment. Throughout his life, he had a great appreciation for the outdoors, especially the Rocky Mountains, and frequently enjoyed camping, fishing, boating, and gardening.

Harry is survived by his son, Harvey Mabis, daughters, Virginia Horner, Nilia Walter, and Becky Shannon, 9 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, 4 sisters, wife Betty Jane (BJ), son's Harry Jr. (Eddie), Roy, Robert (Billy), and Charles Mabis.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Allnutt Funeral Services – Hunter Chapel. Following the service, a graveside inurnment will take place at 3:00 PM at Resthaven Memory Gardens, where family and loved ones will gather as his remains are lovingly placed next to those of his beloved wife.