Dolph Melford Harris
July 8, 1931
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October 11, 2017
Place of Birth: Fairview, Montana
Residence: Sidney, Montana
Age: 86
Dolph M. Harris was born on July 8, 1931, in East Fairview, ND to Harry Dwight and Hazel Belle (Petrik) Harris. He grew up and attended schools in Dore, ND and Fairview, MT graduating from Fairview High School in 1949. In Dolph’s words: “After graduation I spent about a year in the Fairview/Sidney area helping at home and various other tasks. Then I decided to try my luck with college. Paul Ditche and I enrolled at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, and I completed one year of study. While there, I also worked for Marshall Wells installing addressograph inventory control systems and later served as the newspaper packager for the Billings Gazette. In 1951, Williams Motor Company, Sidney, MT, the Buick and GMC dealer, hired me to manage their parts department and I was there for a year when my friends and neighbors decided that I should join the United States Army. I completed basic training and signal school at Fort Gordon, GA. For the next 21 months I was in Korea during that War. I returned to Sidney and went back to work at Williams Motor Company, originally in parts, and then accounting. I went to Valley Motor Supply for some parts one day and was waited on by Patricia “Pat” Whiteman. We developed a friendship that led to marriage on April 7, 1956, at St. Philomena’s Catholic Church in Sidney, MT. In the meantime, my brother, Melvin, and I entered into the service station business in Culbertson, MT. This lasted almost three years and I then began a career in the building industry. I started as a clerk, and worked up to management. This segment of my life lasted from 1956 until January 1, 1979, 23 years. During this time we had four children: Lori, Larry, Lee and Luann. Pat and I signed some bank and personal notes and became entrepreneurs. We have owned and managed Sidney Millwork Company ever since. We manufacture high end millwork and cabinets for schools, hospitals, institutional and government projects. Examples: Denver University Law Building, INVESCO Field Club Level, Billings Cancer Center, and Sidney Hospital. It’s been a good life. Ups and downs. Who hasn’t? We have traveled quite a lot, Europe and Hawaii. We have owned a cabin on Lake Sakakawea since 1987. We spend as much time as possible there in the summer.” Dolph once wrote, for one of his reunions…he loved his Fairview class of ’49, and was the last remaining male in his class. In 2009, Dolph and Pat began their retirement, but half-heartedly! Dolph spent many hours at the shop after 2009! Then, December 2, 2011, his beloved Pat passed away. He missed her every day, but was very grateful for all his friends who kept him going! Thank you all! Dolph was a member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus. Dolph died on Tuesday evening, October 10, 2017, at his home in Sidney, MT. Surviving him are: his children, Lori (Russ) Utter, Larry Harris, Lee (Jan) Harris all of Sidney, MT; Luann (Ricky) Cooley, Billings, MT; three grandsons, Tony (LeeAnn) Harris, Eric Utter, Matt Harris; five granddaughters, Amanda Harris, Lindsey (Taku Ide) Utter, Ashley (Owen Hall) Cooley, Erin Harris, Tenna Cooley; his great grandchildren, Jasmine Harris, Jaymen Henderson, Kennedy Harris and Jaina Harris; his brother, Melvin (Betty) Harris, Billings, MT; his sister-in-law, Aletha Mitzman; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by: his parents, his wife-Pat, his brothers-Harvey Harris and Marvin Harris, in laws Forrest and Rosella Whiteman, and Pat’s sister and brother-in-law Marj and George Knaff and nephew Jody Harris.
Memorial Contribution
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Sidney Senior Citizen Center.
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Family Casket Spray
The McKenzie Bay Marine Club
Bob and Kathy Iversen
The Class of 1977
Ron and Deb Waters
The Knaff Family
The DeVries Families
Matt and Lois
Lynora Harris and Family
Kim and Michelle Monsen and Family
Edward Jones, Jerry and Lana
Your Lake Neighbors, Jayson, Amy, Jory, Rowdy, & Brady Lund
Love Rex and Mary Ramage and Daniel
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