Brian Douglas Harris, age 54, of Albuquerque NM, formerly of Miles City

Brian Douglas Harris, died peacefully in his home in Albuquerque, NM on Sunday, July 8, 2018. He was a beloved son, brother, cousin, uncle and friend. He graced this earth for 54 years, born on July 19, 1963 at the Holy Rosary Hospital to Marilyn Harris (Dickson) and Jerry Harris of Miles City, Montana. He is preceded in death by Jesse and Doris Harris, Roger Harris, Jerry Harris, Don Harris, Rita Lindvold,  Jenny Martin, Hayley Martin, Rachel Pluhar, Kayla Harris, Norvin and Gladys Christopherson.

Brian attended school at Jefferson Elementary and Custer County High School where he graduated in 1981. In High School, Brian was a four year letter winner in Wrestling. His senior year he placed second at the State Tournament in Glasgow, Montana. He was also an avid bowler in the Recreation Lanes Junior League. He continued bowling after high school and would average 190 – 200 consistently.

He attended the School of Mines in Las Cruces, NM from 1981- 1982 for computer science. He then headed back to Montana to attend Montana State University in Bozeman where he was a big fan of the Bobcat Football team. While in Bozeman, he learned the roofing trade and worked there until 1998. He let us know often that the cold winters would be a thing of the past for him and true to his word moved back to New Mexico where he called Albuquerque his home. He roofed for a major roofing company for a number of years before becoming a manager/supervisor for Wal-Mart where he spent the last fifteen years helping build two stores and finishing his last five years at a brand new store in Albuquerque. In Albuquerque, Brian would spend his spare time rooting for the Dallas Cowboys, bicycling and he became an avid golfer.

Brian was known as the fun uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He had a joyous personality and brought that to his attitude towards life. He was full of humor and always in a good mood with something positive to say that gave you the feeling he loved life. He was playful and warm in his voice and laugh.

Lisa – “I remember he was always the funny uncle growing up. He would tease us a lot . It was really nice getting to spend time with him the past year, at Andra’s wedding, and tailgating a Broncos / Cowboys game last year!”

Conner – “Thanksgiving in Durango watching his Cowboys play. We were the only ones in the house that cared at all about the game and we had a blast.”

Teal – “I can’t remember where this took place but it was years ago, when we all went white water rafting and some of us went jumping off the cliff into the water, he was there helping and reassuring the ones who were younger and scared that all would be okay. Or he was always cracking jokes too. I sure will miss him. wish I would have gotten the opportunity to spend more time with him”

Taylor “I have a lot of great memories of Brian, always fun and playful to be around, especially his voice and his laugh, very unique and warming.”

Andra –  “One memory I have is he would chase us when we were little. He would also call us knuckle heads. And we would call Brian, Uncle Knuckle Head.”

Ed, Sven and Bjorn – “Fun to be around always joking with us and good memories at reunions, we were too young and glad we knew him – would have liked to have seen him more.”

Nicole – “My most fond memory of Uncle Brian has to be his laugh and his smile. Christmas 2016 he got us all Christmas presents and the smile on his face when we all opened them will forever be unforgettable. You could see the joy all across his face that he got to be with all of us!”

Jason – “I think probably hanging with him at family get togethers, floating the river was always a blast with him, I’d say he knew how to live it up to the fullest, gonna miss him.”

 Amanda  – “Having a water balloon fight with him and all the other cousins at our cabin in Ennis.”

Stephanie – “Christmas of 2016 our heater went out in the Traverse so we ended up staying in Miles City longer. We were able to go to Tilt Works with Mom, Jon and Brian and we watched the Cowboys game and played darts together! It was a lot of fun. That same night Brian would hit his hand on the table and then Stetsyn would copy him. (She was 5 months old at this time)”

Amy – “I remember when Jenny and I were little we would go and jump on him to wake him up at grandma’s house. He was always fun to be around and loved to make us laugh.”

Kane – “He was always a favorite Uncle at our home for holidays and incredibly giving of his time- joining for the whole weekend of sideline coaching at his great nieces sports events. We will miss him tremendously.”

Marshal – “Mostly his comic nature. All the memories I have he was always joking around, smiling and laughing.”

Blake – “I think it was two years ago when Brain was down in Miles City around Christmas. I thought it was pretty awesome that he thought about Dawson and Stetsyn to get them presents. Just thought that was very nice of him to think about them. He thought of Katrina and I as well.”

Melissa – “I’ve always really appreciated and valued the love and time that Uncle Brian put towards building a relationship with Amanda and I. He always made such an effort to spend time playing with us at every family get together. He had this amazing energy and love for life that was infectious and even though I didn’t fully recognize it as a child it is very evident to me now why we were so drawn to being around him as kids. I wish we had been able to further grow our relationship as adults but I am grateful for the moments we did have.”

Darla “I always remember Uncle Brain as being so funny. You could say he is the funniest Uncle but all of your brothers are pretty funny  He was always joking and playing pranks. He had the best laugh and an awesome smile you could feel. He was wonderful. I wish I could have seen him one more time.  Hat
always backwards and sun glasses. Every time he would come play with all of us.
Wiffleball whatever we were getting into, swings. All that fun stuff.”

To his friends who remember him from college and high school, he was a good friend, kind, generous and always willing to help out.

He will be remembered for his gentle giant personality. We Love YOU Brian –

His parents, Bob and Marilyn Dickson of Miles City, Montana

His siblings, David and Colette Harris of Miles City, Mark Harris and Rebecca Eames of Bayfield, Colorado, Stephen and Cheryl Harris of Absarokee, Montana, Michael and Kathy Harris of Bozeman, Montana, Anita and Chad Otterness of Goodhue, Minnesota, Jon and Cara Harris of Miles City, Montana, Ron and Cindy Dickson of Fort Collins Colorado, Lori Dickson of Miles City, Montana and Jane and Dennis Pluhar of Miles City Montana.

His nieces and nephews, Braden Harris, Taylor Harris, Darla Harris, Teal Harris, Jason Harris, Kane Anderson, Conner Harris, Amy Downey,  Andra Menhennett, Lisa Kindsvater, Melissa Harris, Amanda Harris, Edward Otterness, Sven Otterness, Bjorn Otterness, Ryan Harris, Tyler Harris, Jordan Harris, Stephanie Solberg, Nicole Richardson, Blake Richardson, Karen Craddick, Laura Dickson, Ellie Koehl, Marshal Pluhar, and Adam Pluhar.

His aunts and Uncles, Joe and Sharon McDonald, Mary Rose Hettinger and Ed and Sandra Harris.

His cousins, Tim McDonald, Terry McDonald, Tracie McDonald, Tom McDonald, Terry Rumph, Tom Riggs, Linda Losinski, Lorraine Dunbar, Dory Patrini, Dan Hettinger, Shelly Jenkins, Kyle Harris and Alana King.

His many great nieces and nephews.

Also his many friends throughout the years!

We would also like to thank the many associates of the Wal-Mart Store in Albuquerque, NM who cared for and about Brian. Your compassion has not gone unnoticed in the last few years. His assistant store manager and a person Brian worked closely with shared these words with us, “Brian was an awesome associate, always on time, had a great sense of urgency and always wanting to help others. He had a great work ethic, he was a great supervisor. When we worked overnight together, he was my right hand man. I would catch him singing while he stocking freight, I would tell him, Brian, is that you singing and he would say no!, stop listening to me and get to work, we would both laugh. I would tell him awww are you singing to me and we would both laugh again, you wish.”

R.I.P Brian Harris 1963 – 2018 – a true Hero and Champion! “Always be joyful.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

A memorial service will take place at the United Christian Church of Miles City, MT in mid-August.  Please come and celebrate Brian with us.

In memory of Brian, if you would like, send a memorial gift to the John Ritter foundation for aortic health found at johnritterfoundation.org/donate-today