Franklin Delano Harris Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Franklin Delano Harris, 86, of Laurie, Mo., passed away from complications of lung cancer on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, with his son by his side. He was born on November 27, 1933, in Milan, Mo., the son of Hazel and Everett Harris. He graduated from Milan High School in 1951. He held a degree in agriculture from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a master’s degree in public health from the University of Nebraska, where, except for submitting a dissertation, he also completed a Ph.D. program in public health. He served in the U.S. Army 2nd Armored Division in West Germany from 1956 – 1958. In 1958, he married Phyllis Kay Badger of Browning, Mo., and they celebrated 61 years of marriage last August before her unexpected death in November. He is survived by a son John (Cari); and by three grandchildren, Ashley and Brandon Rinne and Claire Harris. He was also preceded in death by his daughter Cynthia Rinne. For 27 years, Kay and Franklin called Lincoln, Neb., home, where Franklin was Bureau Director of the Nebraska Department of Health. They raised their children in Lincoln and hosted many friends and relatives when Mizzou played Nebraska. He was a member of Elks Lodge #80 and later Lodge #2705 in Laurie, holding leadership positions in both. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. In 1995, Kay and Franklin retired to the Lake of the Ozarks near Laurie, Mo. There they were excellent hosts to family and friends who stopped by often. Franklin was a life-long Democrat, and he was a keen and curious observer of social and political changes during his long life. He loved boating and especially enjoyed Elks outings in his pontoon boat on a 90-mile trip to Warsaw, Mo. He loved entertaining the larger Harris family for annual gatherings dubbed The Big H. He was happiest when family gathered on the patio and children were running around the dock and, jumping into the lake and going on jet ski rides. He was looking forward to the 2020 Big H gathering in July. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 17, 2020. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. and services at 11:00 a.m. at the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel. Memorial contributions may be directed to Westside Senior Activity Center, 1501 Hwy O Road, Laurie, MO 65037 (attn. Julie). For everyone’s safety, we will practice social distancing and masks will be worn. There will be masks available if you forget yours at home. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.

Franklin Delano Harris

November 27, 1933 - May 5, 2020

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