Richard "Rick" Harris

Dateline: Wingate, NC Richard Brandon “Rick” Harris, age 59, died Sunday, February 24, 2013 at Hospice House of Union County after a brief illness. Rick was born October 2, 1953 in Monroe, North Carolina to Colene Helms Norton and the late Donald B. Harris. Along with his beloved children, Hannah Elisabeth Harris and Samuel Franklin Harris, and his mother, Rick is survived by four siblings, Donna Harris Sell and husband Chip, Liz Harris Lecka and husband Van, Frank Harris, and Tom Harris and wife Rosemary. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews, including Brandon Griffith and husband Donald, John Sell and wife Nicole, Streeter Lecka, Tyler Lecka and Riley Lecka. Surviving uncles and aunts include Arnold and Alva Helms, Robert O. and Ruth Helms, Brenda and James Wilhelm and June Cochran. Grandnieces and nephews are Elizabeth Griffith, D.C. Griffith, Cade Griffith, Lillie Sell and Ella Sell. In addition to his father, Rick is predeceased by aunt Evelyn Harris Wilkerson and nephews Beau Sell and Todd Harris. Rick was a graduate of Monroe High School and Central Piedmont Community College Law Enforcement Program. Devoted to Union County, he worked first for the Union County Sherriff’s Department, then the Union County Livestock Market and finished his career with the Union County School System. He was also a proud member of the Union County Cattlemen’s Association. Rick had a very special life filled with countless lifelong friendships, including I.F. and Inez Plyer, Jane and Scott Vandiver and family, Aaron Plyer and family, Alton Plyer, Annette, Ricky and Abbey Mills, Joey Turner, Rick McCollum, Don and Katie Duncan, Ray Medlin, Rick Benton and the entire Union County Public Schools Maintenance Department. In recent years, Rick was an icon at the Charlotte Regional Farmer’s Market. He was easily recognizable at the Franklin Farms booth in his straw hat and was known for his never-ending graciousness to customers and his beautiful collard greens. The family would like to thank the many who supported this labor of love, especially Ray Cook. Rick will be remembered for his love of the outdoors, volunteering at the Unionville Barbeque for over 20 years and his commitment to his church family where he was a dedicated member of the Brotherhood. He never knew a stranger, was a friend to all and gave freely to his community and friends. He was known as a small man in stature with a big heart and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. A visitation and service celebrating Rick’s life will be held Thursday, February 28th at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3816 Morgan Mill Rd. Monroe, NC 28110. Visitation will be from l:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m, followed by the service at 3:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the Monroe City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Union County Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship Fund, 3230-D Presson Rd., Monroe, NC 28112, Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3816 Morgan Mill Rd., Monroe, NC 28110 or Hospice of Union County, 700 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, N.C., 28110. Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe, NC 28112 is caring for the Harris family. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Published online on February 25, 2013 courtesy of Gordon Funeral Service, Inc. .