M Ben Harris

M Ben Harris passed away peacefully on January 16, 2025, at the age of 102 surrounded by his loving family. Ben was born in Montrose, CO on July 8th, 1922 to Ella May Haney and R.D. Harris and H.G. Burtis. Ben attended Johnson School first through sixth grades. Central School seventh and eighth grades. He graduated from Montrose High School with the class of 1940. He attended Mesa College from 1940 to 1941 and Colorado University at Boulder from 1941 to 1942. Ben served in the United States Army from September 1942 through April 1946. He was a T-3 in the U.S. and European Theater. Upon returning from the service, he returned to CU Boulder to graduate with a BS/BA. His work included being a Daily Press carrier and working in his grandmother's men's store. He worked as office manager at Hartman Brothers from June 1948 to February 1957. He ended his career when he retired from First National Bank of Montrose on February 1,1993.

 On July 6, 1952, he married his wife of 53½ years Norma G. (Jerry) Harris. She preceded him in death on January 23, 2006. He is survived by his son William G. (Bill) Harris and his wife Linda of Montrose, CO. Their two children William B. Harris (Skye) of Olathe, CO, their children Brooklynn, Taylor, Allie and Bently and Jacob P. Harris of Clifton, CO. He is also survived by his daughter Dana R. Johnson and husband Rick of Montrose, CO and their 2 children Matthew Harris Johnson of Montrose, CO and Mitch P. Johnson (Rachael) of Montrose, CO and their children Blake and Navy. His brother Haney G. Burtis also survives. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jerry and his great granddaughter Ryan Grace Johnson. Ben was a lifetime member of the AF&AM #63, ΒΡΟΕ #1053 and the Red Coats Montrose Chamber of Commerce. He loved taking his children and grandchildren fishing and hunting.