Richard Garth Harris, 65, passed away on June 3, 2023, in Anaheim, California, after suffering a massive heart attack. He died on the final morning of a wonderful family vacation, where he spent his last days surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Richard was born on September 14, 1957, in Taber, Alberta, Canada to Garth and Betty Harris, as the third of nine children. He was married and sealed for time and all eternity to his best friend Caroline Irene Nelson in the Cardston, Alberta Temple on July 18, 1985. He and Caroline had three beautiful children: Sarah, Dallin and Amy.

Richard was raised on the family farm in Taber, Alberta, where he developed a strong work ethic. He drove tractors, milked cows, and planted crops. He combined and changed irrigation pipes from early in the morning to late at night. He was always grateful for his time on the farm working alongside his family to produce the greatest corn in Canada.

While attending W.R. Myers High School in Taber, Richard played the trombone in the school band and sang in the choir. In addition, he took piano lessons and became an accomplished pianist and later organist. His musical talents provided him with incredible joy, his favorite being to accompany his wife in her many vocal performances.

Upon graduation, Richard attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. When he turned 19, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Anaheim mission. This proved to be one of the highlights of his life. Due to his service in a deaf branch and having a deaf companion for a large portion of his mission, he quickly learned and became proficient in American Sign Language. After his mission, Richard attended BYU and received his bachelor's degree. He then took a job with a major oil company in Calgary, Alberta. At this time, he met his sweet Caroline while participating in the institute chorus. Together they were able to share their love of music performing throughout the province of Alberta.

After Richard and Caroline were married, they lived in Calgary for nine years and formed many lasting friendships. However, when the Canadian oil industry took a downturn in 1994, Richard decided to move his family to Santa Clara, Utah to start his own business with Allstate Insurance. He worked in this capacity for nearly 29 years and received numerous awards before selling his business just one month before his passing. Caroline had recently retired as a schoolteacher, and they looked forward to spending more time with each other, their children, and grandchildren.

Richard dedicated his life to serving the Lord. His three children remember him always sitting on the stand in church - he served as a Bishop, a counselor in the Santa Clara Stake Presidency for 7 years, and as President of the Santa Clara Heights Stake for 9 years. Upon his passing, Richard was serving a church service mission as the Director of the Addiction Recovery Program for the St. George area. Throughout his life, Richard was able to share his testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He had a profound effect on countless individuals and families and was beloved and respected by all who knew him.

Richard is survived by his wife, Caroline; daughter Sarah, Pleasant Grove, Utah; son Dallin (Lindsey), American Fork, Utah; daughter Amy (Ryan) Green, Chicago, Illinois; grandchildren Nelson, Caleb, Adeline, Eloise, Ellis, Warner; and two additional grandchildren arriving later this year.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Garth and Betty Harris, his brother, Derrick Rae Harris, and Caroline's parents, Brian, and Bernice Nelson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Santa Clara Heights Stake Center, 1705 Desert Dawn Drive, Santa Clara, Utah. Visitations will be on Friday, June 9th at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, June 10th at the Santa Clara Heights Stake Center from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Those who would like to view the funeral service remotely may do so at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82316859346 .

Interment will be at the Santa Clara Cemetery, 950 Ancestor Way, Santa Clara, Utah.

The family wishes to thank the medical teams who helped Richard in his last hours, the Hilgenfeld Mortuary in Anaheim, the Santa Clara Heights 2nd Ward Relief Society, members of the Santa Clara Heights Stake, and the countless others who have been such a support at this time.