Obituary of Richard Harris Jr.

Richard (Rick) Harris Jr, age 73, of Osage Beach, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Missouri on Friday, April 20, 2018.

He was born on February 2, 1945, in Fort Madison, Iowa. He was the son of Richard and Doris (Bolin) Harris.

Rick lived the majority of his amazing life in St Joseph, Missouri and was a proud alumnus of Lafayette High School.  He served his country proudly for six years in the Army National Guard. Rick was a Texas Certified Nurseryman and Missouri Certified Nurseryman and a former President of the St. Joseph Downtown Optimist Club. Throughout his time with the Optimist Club, Rick was instrumental in the development of the Bingo Fundraiser, as well as the development of the Pony League Baseball Association expanding to Savannah, Missouri. He was an avid slow pitch Softball player in his younger days and enjoyed watching fast pitch softball.  Rick was a lifelong Missouri Tiger fan and he loved to fish and drive with the top down.

Rick was a loyal and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who always wore his heart on his sleeve. He battled cancer this past year, just like he did everything in his life, with determination, hard work and passion.

He is survived by his loving wife, Vermelia (Ann) Sunderland Harris of Osage Beach of nearly 51 years; his son, Jason and daughter -in-law Gretchen and three grandchildren Audrey, Pryor, Reagan all of Kirkwood, Missouri; brother and sister-in-law Gordon and Janice Sunderland of Kansas City; nephew Tyler Sunderland and wife Michelle, niece Kim Sunderland (Chris) as well as 3 great nieces and 2 great nephews.

Rick was preceded in death by his father Richard (Dick) Harris Sr. and mother Doris (Bolin) Harris.

Memorial donations may be made to National Slow Pitch Softball Association

Services will be held on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at Hedges-Scott Funeral Home, Osage Beach, Missouri.   Family will greet friends for visitation from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at the funeral home

Inurnment will be at a later date.