Steven Lee Harris. 59, of Clearwater, FL fought against all odds but ultimately his damaged heart and lungs gave out. He was 59 years old.
Born in Riverside CA to Aubrey and Jeanne (Eberle) Harris, Steven and his sister Joanne (Anderson) were raised in various Air Force bases, as their father was born in Hawaii and joined during the Pearl Harbor invasion and a 29 year veteran of the Air Force. Steven traveled and attended school in CA,HI, AZ, NJ, and back to HI where he graduated high school. Steve always loved sports, basketball, baseball and football and not just watching but playing. Wherever he went he was always joining a team. Being in Hawaii it was only natural for Steven to surf and learn to scuba dive. As a typical teen boy he did love music so he picked up a guitar and learned to play and joined a band. But the draft lottery called and Steven followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Air Force in Hawaii. Steven was sent to Germany for his first tour as a Security Policeman, with his second assignment being Grand Forks, North Dakota protecting the missile silos.
While Steven was away serving his country, his family relocated to Pasco County, Florida. When discharged, he came to Florida and stayed for a visit but decided to go back to North Dakota where he stayed with his friend Ron Quittem and joined him on the police force. During that time, he became a decorated officer, but he missed his family and the cold became too much for him so he moved to Florida where he had various careers. Some including cab driver, school bus driver, truck driver for J B Hunt, and eventually retiring from Brenntag Chemical Co. after 10 years.
Since he was a boy, Steven loved cars, trucks, and especially antique toy trains. He joined the TCA (Train Collectors Association) in 1988 and served on the Board of Directors as President and Past President for 16 years till January 2013.
Steven is survived by his wife Linda, who he met in April 2004, they married in August 2005; also his two nephews, Kyle and Kristopher Anderson.
A gathering of friends and family will be at 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Largo Community Center, 400 Alt Keene Road, Largo, FL 33771. Memorial Service and military honors will begin at 4:00 PM with Chaplain Derek Goldstein of Suncoast Hospice officiating. Interment will be held at 10:45 AM on Monday, April 8, 2013 at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines, 33744.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Steve’s name to Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33760-9962 or online at www.thehospicefoundation.org.
Please sign the guestbook below.
Linda,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time. Wish we could be with you.
If we can be of any help or comfort, let us know.
We love you and miss you.
Linda, May you both continue to be showered with God’s grace in this life eternal. As your brother, I know the care that was extended to Steve. You made his life full. That is love.
Steve spent a lot of time with Ron and I during out military time in ND and was there when we needed him after the death of our son. Many blessings and prayers to your family and for Steve.
Linda, Sincere sympathy to you and your family. My late husband, John, knew Steven for many years, as we were close friends with Aubrey and Jeanne. Peace has come to all of them and for that we can be grateful. God Bless You.
Jeanne Frizalone
Dear family of Mr. Harris,
I am very sorry for the loss of your husband, uncle, and friend. I also have had many loved ones that I have lost in death, so I know it’s a incredibly hard experience to go through. Something that has helped me is a scripture from the Bible. It’s at Revelation 21:3, 4, and it talks about a permanent end to sickness and death. I hope this can help you a little bit during this hard time. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.
Sorry this has taken so long to send I’m very sorry that Steve is gone he was a true friend and great guy He also was my roommate at Hahn Airbase Germany I’m sure that my name was mentioned a few times I’m Dickie or Richard Gelzinis and Steve was my friend I’m truly sorry he is gone Ill leave my cell number if you like I can tell you some pretty funny stories about Steve so sorry he’s gone 215 990 1399