Randy G Harris

Randall (Randy) G. Harris passed away June 2, 2021 after two-plus years of fighting cancer. He was 77 years old. Randy was born September 28, 1943 in Pocatello, Idaho, to George F. Harris and Leila A. (Davis) Harris.
Randy spent his first six years living in McCammon, Idaho having many wonderful childhood memories with his Harris cousins. His family moved to Pocatello where he started second grade at Washington Elementary School. Here met his best friends for life. From there he attended Franklin Junior High, playing basketball and football, winning Outstanding Athlete Awards. He excelled in basketball at Pocatello High School, winning a Full Ride Scholarship to Idaho State University, where he played for two years. He transferred to University of Utah, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity while attending both universities.
He was accepted into the Air Force Officers Candidate School in Lackland AFB, Texas, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. After completing training, he was assigned to Norton AFB in San Bernardino, California as a Systems Analyst. This is where his twenty-year Air Force career began, and what a wonderful ride it was. Two assignments to Norton AFB, Seattle Washington, two assignments to Andrews AFB in Maryland, Eglin AFB in Florida, and Hill AFB in Utah. He also, earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Michigan. He earned four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and a National Defense Medal. As a couple and a family, we were blessed many times over by our Military Family, people who were there when their families couldn't be, especially Bruce and Marilyn Mills, and their children who will always hold a special place in our hearts.
After Randy's retirement from the Air Force, he went to work for Boeing in Orange County, California as a Financial Analyst, he worked there for sixteen years before transferring to the Layton, Utah division, where he worked for another four years. Randy and Jeanne then decided to move back to Pocatello to help his aging mother, where they have lived the last twelve years.
The summer after his sophomore year at ISU a friend introduced him to his future wife, Jeanne Seal, who was finishing her sophomore year of high school. They dated for five years, getting engaged before he left for Officers Candidate School, and married March 9, 1968, shortly after completing his training. Together they have overcome many obstacles but have never lost their incredible bond of love and respect for each other.
While stationed at Eglin AFB in Florida they were blessed with their two children, Stefanie Leigh and Ryan Tate, the loves of their lives. The four of them shared so many wonderful experiences, watching Fourth of July Fireworks from the steps of the Pentagon, going to all the national monuments, visiting the Smithsonian Museum many times, catching baby stingrays, feeding marshmallows to an alligator, traveling most of the East Coast and Southern state, swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean. Randy took so much pride in his children's achievements and just the joy of fatherhood. In his children's eyes he was a superman, there wasn't anything he couldn't do. His wife, Jeanne knew he was one of a kind, a man of great integrity, hardworking, humble, kind, loving and had a wicked sense of humor, wit, sarcasm, and the ability to stretch a story. Everyone is familiar with his McCammon baseball story, the ball that he hit so hard it has never been found, his children and wife forbid him to repeat the story (attached at the end of the obituary, will be a story covering the finding of that ball).
His other loves were FISHING and golfing, as a young boy his best friend, Bill Powell and his father took Randy fishing, he was hooked from then on. He loved fishing with Bill and his friends, his children and wife. He was quite shocked when he took Jeanne on their first fishing trip to Stanley, Idaho, and she out fished him. She neglected to tell him that she had fished with her grandparents and her grandfather had taught her what bait to use and how to tie her own line.
Our family has been blessed with so many special friendships during our many moves, too many to mention. However, we would like to thank Dave and Bonnie Criswell for being there so many times for us, especially during the California fire that almost took our home.
We've been blessed since we've been back in Idaho to be near family, and friends, old and new. We appreciate the love, help and support Jeanne's father, Wayne, and brother, Greg, niece, Tracey, cousins, Judy and Janet, friends, Mike and Janice, and neighbor, Dan and Denise have given during these last days.
Randy was the epitome of what a husband, father and friend should be. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren to the very depths of his soul. He was an amazing example for his children and everyone who knew him. We love you with all our hearts, the hole you've left in our hearts will never heal. We have lost — A Man, A Myth, and a Legend.
Randy is preceded in death by his parents, George and Lela Harris; and mother-in-law, Verna Robinson. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his daughter, Stefanie (Chris) Mahoney; son, Ryan (Marsha Scott) Harris; grandsons, Joshua Scott, Brendin Harris and Peyton Mahoney; sister, Karen (Gene) Moore; sister, Debra (Mike) Carrington; father-in-law, Wayne Robinson; brother-in-law, Ed (Candy) Seal; brother-in-law, Greg (Chris) Robinson; and beloved many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at 11:00 am at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5th Avenue Pocatello, Idaho in section 54 East. Military Honors will be provided by The Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard and the Active Airforce personnel.

Mystery Ball Found??
A farmer plowing his field in south McCammon a couple of weeks ago found a very old baseball and believed it may have some value although it is no longer round (actually a little flat on one side) and is in pretty bad condition.
Folklore has it that in a game between the Pocatello American Legion Team and the Marsh Valley All-stars in 1960, that Randy Harris from Pocatello hit a ball out of the local baseball park off his cousin Darryl Harris and it was never found.
In talking to some of the locals who were around at that time, they still remember the crack of the bat and the blazing speed of the ball as it sailed high over the very tall left field trees and out of the ballpark. They also said several people and treasure hunters tried to find the ball for many years to no avail. When asked if the recent find could be "The Ball", they indicated it was quite possible.
Based upon further research. spectral analysis, distance from the ballpark, and eye witness testimony, it was determined that this is "The Ball". It has been enshrined in the McCammon Museum of Natural History and may be viewed Monday - Friday by appointment only.
Who said "The Ball" would never be found? The case has finally been closed after fifty-five plus years.
Sorry to all the skeptics!
Article by L. G. Olsen