John Albert Harris

John Albert Harris returned home to his Heavenly Father on January 3, 2021 in Ogden, Utah.  John was born on April 30, 1941 to Wilford Lavar Harris and Bernice Chalk in Red Mesa, Colorado.  In high school and college, he was a competitive swimmer and later worked at a Boy Scout Camp on the waterfront as a Lifeguard.  After serving a 30-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Mexico, he received his Associates Degree in Business Accounting.  John was drafted into the USMC shortly after. He was at Camp Pendleton Ca. as a Dispensing Clerk Sergeant over the payroll group. 

John met his first wife, Wanda Ruth Relethford while in the Marines.  They were married on August 5, 1967 in Los Angeles, California.  Born of this union were three wonderful children, Lavar Harris, Brian Harris and Tonya Phillips. 

After the Marines he worked for an accounting firm but later gave it up and worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a janitor.  When Wanda’s health declined, he stayed home to take care of her.  They started a craft business together called, WanJon Creations and John also worked as an independent Tax Preparer.  Wanda passed away on January 28, 1987. They were married for twenty years.

After Wanda’s passing, John worked in the medical field as a CNA.  He did a lot of hospice care and taught many families about the afterlife.  He would often say, “The second birth is the one most people call death.”  During his time working in the medical field, he met and married Billie Jean (B.J.) Fardanesh on May 29, 1993 in Reno, Nevada.  She also had a profession in the medical field as a Registered Nurse.  Together they started an elderly care facility called BJ Rose Manor.  John took classes and got licensed to become the Director.  When they retired from this, they moved to Utah in 2007.  B.J. later passed away on May 25, 2008. They were married for fifteen years.

John was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held several callings.  His last calling was a Counselor in the Branch Presidency for the Francis Peak Branch.  John was a man of service.  He loved driving the missionaries and others around, mow lawns, and help others move. He always encouraged his children to work hard!

John loved chess. He started playing when he was young and played any chance he got.  He also collected several unique chess sets.  John enjoyed camping, seeing historic sites, and doing genealogy.

John is survived by his three children, brother Jerry Harris and his five grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives and his brother James (Jim) Harris.

Services will be held Saturday, January 16, 2021, 11:00 a.m., Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Utah.  A viewing will be held prior to services from 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.

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