- Date Of Birth: January 30, 1920
- Date Of Death: January 19, 2012
- State: New Mexico
Biography LATHY LEROY HARRIS, 91, resident of Deming passed away Thursday January 19, 2012 at Mimbres Memorial Nursing Home in Deming.
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Lathy was born January 30, 1920 in Alton, Illinois to Charles A. and Mable Davies Harris. He moved from Alton to Streator, Illinois in the 1930’s with his family where he graduated from Streator High School in 1938 and that same year he married Lillian Faye Meredith. He was a skilled machinest and lathe operator and after his service in the United States Army he entered a 7 year carpenter apprenticeship. Lathy became a highly skilled carpenter and worked in home construction and later in the 1950’s he started his own business, Harris Building and Supply Company in Streator. Upon retiring at the age of 62 Lathy traveled broadly throughout the southwest for several years and also visited Israel, Hawaii, and visited his children in Illinois before settling in Deming in the 1980’s.
He loved the desert landscape, watching the desert wildlife, and had a lifelong love of music. He enjoyed singing and playing the guitar, mandolin, dobro, and ukulele. Locally he was a lifelong member of the LCROA, was active in local churches, and was a member of the First Christian Church. He married Luella B. Pawlina “Penny’ in 1998 and although they later divorced the couple have remained very close friends. Penny has been his caretaker since September 2011.
He is survived by his children, Larry Gene Harris of Reno, NV, Diane Kaye Harris Bayer of Streator, IL, Paul Daniel Harris of Summerville, SC, Carol Ann Harris Bingham of Sycamore, IL, Joan Ellen Harris Marsinko, Hall, Dittmer of Streator, IL 14 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Charles and Merlon and 2 sisters, Eleanor and Norma.
