Mark King Harris

Sept. 3, 1949 – April 30, 2018

Posted

TORRINGTON – Mark King Harris, was born in Cheyenne,, on Sept. 3, 1949, to Dale and Virginia Merritt Harris. His first home was at the Wolfe place on the Harris Ranch northwest of Jay Em, Wyo. and near Rawhide Butte. 

Mark attended grade school at Jay Em and later schools in Torrington, graduating from Torrington High School in 1967. Mark excelled in academics and was on the wrestling team and the tennis team. Mark later attended the University of Wyoming and obtained a BS degree in biology.

He was drafted into the United States Army and went through basic training at Ft. Lewis in Tacoma, Wash. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Torrington and married Debra Schlager in 1971. Two children were born: Mark King II and Olivia Marie. Mark was later married to Donna Rutz and then Elizabeth Brummel. 

Mark was a salesman for Moorman Feed where he was very well liked by his customers. He was a good stockman, always interested and knowledgeable about their nutritional needs. He later worked for a large corporate farm in Kansas. He returned to Torrington where he was involved in the real estate business and eventually worked for himself with a landscaping and lawn service. 

In his younger years, Mark was involved in rodeo and team roping. He enjoyed activities with his family and was very proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. 

Mark is survived by his son Mark King Harris II, Nashville, Tenn.; Olivia (Mike) Gallegos, Lincoln, Neb.; grandchildren: Jadine Gallegos, Samantha (Joshua) Whyrick, Preston Gallegos, and great- grandchildren Brock, Knox and Adriana. He is also survived by his siblings: Daletta Harris, Mantha Phillips (Jim Purdy) of Buffalo; Andrea Phillips (Dick) of Story; Shanna Harris of Casper; Merritt Harris (Kathi) of Douglas; Bryan Harris of Cheyenne; and two aunts, Ramona Niland and Orlene Mills.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Florence Harris and King and Marie Merritt; parents, Dale and Virginia (Ginger) Merritt; uncles Mark J Harris, Hyde Merritt, Horace Merritt and Dean Merritt; aunt’s, Dede Merritt and Betty Harris; cousins, Frank Merritt, Melissa Merritt and Rodney Harris. 

Pallbearers are: John Maier, Tom John McCreery, Jim Merritt, Don Murphy, Dennis Murphy and Ron Shoults.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, May 4 at St. Rose Catholic Church in Torrington. Father Carl Beavers will be the celebrant. A reception will be held immediately following at the Cottonwood Country Club. Mark’s ashes will be spread in the Jay Em area by his family at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Children’s Home, PO Box 1117, Torrington, WY 82240.