Michael Alan Harris 1966 - 2021
It is with great sadness and shattered hearts that we announce the passing of Michael Alan Harris, of Cedar Ridge. Mike was born to George R. and Barbara I. Harris on Nov. 23, 1966, at Sonora Community Hospital. Mike, the youngest of three brothers, attended Curtis Creek Elementary School and graduated Sonora Union High School in 1985. Mike went to work while still in school. He had a mechanical affinity at an early age and could be found with his buddies Larry Davis, Brian Selby and Kenney Bottemiller late nights and weekends muscling out and building up his 66 Chevy pickup. Mike could make a 350 Chevy engine purr like a kitten, or flat scream when you poured the coals to it. Though he wouldn’t readily admit it, he helped breathe life into a Ford or two.
Mike’s first real job was working at Andy’s True Value, where he mastered the trade well enough to return several years later as the floor manager. Mike was recruited from Andy’s by his lifelong friend and early mentor Rocky Gold to the plumbing supply trade. As usual, Mike not only flourished, but excelled. Mike spent the next few years moving with Rocky through several incarnations of plumbing supply stores as an outside salesman. Mike eventually returned to Andy’s True Value as the floor manager, where he happily and creatively built up the franchise until the property was sold. It was off to what he knew again. Mike was recruited again into the plumbing supply trade by his friend, running partner and supervisor Mike Scott. The two of them got along famously, managing both the Sonora and Jackson Slakey Brothers plumbing supply outlets, in conjunction with their wing man, Rob Gibson. They all three made the jump yet again to Pace supply, where Mike worked until we lost him.
Right out of high school, Mike met the love of his life, Dawn Shepherd, and pursued her until she finally relented and went out with him. Big mistake. They were married on Oct. 31, 1987. Mike and Dawn lived the storybook life we all dream of. They raised their son and daughter, Clayton and Cristine, with love, laughter, quads, camping, fishing, shooting, corn hole and family time everywhere. Mike loved Christmas and looked forward to hosting his family and friends yearly with gusto, laughter and twinkling lights. At 5 years old, he got to be a Christmas tree in the school play. He was the happiest tree in the lineup. Mike was known for his smile, infectious laughter and warm hugs. He was a magnet to small children and dogs and a master chef in a barbecue apron. Mike loved good food, a good drink, and a good laugh. Once he met you, you were his friend. If he sought you out for a handshake, hug or a laugh (usually all three), know that he loved you. Mike’s Motto, often said, was “It never hurts to make a new friend.” Mike was the go-to for more people than we will ever know and will be a void in all our lives until he greets us again with that warm hug.
Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, George W. and Opal Harris and Jerry and Dee Wright; father and mother, George R. and Barbara I. Harris; brothers Charles R. Harris (Judy), and Leonard Klein (Teri); father and mother-in-law, Clayton ”Shep“and Edeen Shepherd, all of Sonora; and Uncle Thomas Wright, of Pasadena.
Mike is survived by his adoring wife of 33 years, Dawn Harris; son Clayton M. Harris (Denise); daughter Cristine N. Harris (Charles); brother Robert L. Harris (Brandi); aunt Rita Dodds (David), of Redlands; brother-in-law Richard Shepherd, of Manteca; sister-in-law Tami Stone (Chris) of Glasgow, Montana; sister-in-law Teri Klein, of Sonora; niece Stephanie Shepherd, of Manteca; nephews Shawn Z. Harris, of Sonora, Ronald W. Harris, of Oakland, Stephen Shepherd (Kayla), of Manteca, Alex Maxey, of Tuolumne, Devon Stone, of Glasgow, Montana, Jack (Stacy), and Beau Kline, of Sonora; granddaughter, Maddie, and grandsons Levi and Landen, all of Sonora; as well as too many cousins, adopted brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews to count.
At Mike’s request, there will be no funeral service. True to form, he requested a celebration of life. The celebration will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Westside Pavilion, 17807 Tuolumne Road, Tuolumne. Please come join his family for a day of laughter, handshakes and hugs. Bring a story if you can. Broken hearts can still laugh.