Rick Harris, 69, of Niceville, FL passed away peacefully on May 26, 2016, with his beloved wife and best friend, Sharon, by his side.
Rick, born in Philadelphia, PA, lived a no-holds barred, full contact life filled with a breadth and depth of experiences that would satisfy a dozen lifetimes. He spent 30 years as a US Army Officer holding command and staff positions in Infantry, Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Joint Headquarters units. He routinely deployed globally in support of national security missions to places such as Alaska, South Korea, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Balkans.
He additionally spent 20 years of service with the US Department of Justice working in federal law enforcement on numerous influential and notable programs such as strategic plans and policies development, national task force coordination and administration, and national staff training.
Rick held numerous degrees in languages and psychology (a B.A. in Spanish and French, a B.S. in Psychology, and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology), and was a die-hard supporter of the Florida State University Seminoles (a Life Member of the FSU Alumni Association and a Silver Chief Booster).
He made his home in the idyllic Northwest FL panhandle, and was an active member of many community organizations and fraternal affiliations to include the Masons, the Shriners, multiple Army and military organizations (MOAA, VFW, AL, and the Army Historical Foundation) and the Krewe of Bowlegs. He served valiantly on the Krewe for over 30 years, culminating with his selection as Captain Billy LVIII.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon, two sons; Kenny and Jonathan, four grandchildren; Dakota, Demi, Daphne, and Kaylee, one brother, Roy and one sister, Susan.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, May 31, at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church, 1028 White Point Road, Niceville, FL. A public viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery at 2 p.m. immediately following the memorial services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. You may go online to offer condolences to the family and sign the guestbook at www.heritagegardensfuneralhome.com. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home of Niceville is entrusted with the arrangements.
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Published by Northwest Florida Daily News on May 29, 2016.
Fred Kokemohr
I have just been notified of the 25 May 2016 death of Richard Harris.
Janet Barnhardt (Hickey)
Found his obit in Orlando Newspaper--
1946 – 2016
Rick Harris, 69, of Niceville, FL passed away peacefully on May 26, 2016, with his beloved wife and best friend, Sharon, by his side.
Rick, born in Philadelphia, PA, lived a no-holds barred, full contact life filled with a breadth and depth of experiences that would satisfy a dozen lifetimes. He spent 30 years as a US Army Officer holding command and staff positions in Infantry, Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Joint Headquarters units. He routinely deployed globally in support of national security missions to places such as Alaska, South Korea, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Balkans.
He additionally spent 20 years of service with the US Department of Justice working in federal law enforcement on numerous influential and notable programs such as strategic plans and policies development, national task force coordination and administration, and national staff training.
Rick held numerous degrees in languages and psychology (a B.A. in Spanish and French, a B.S. in Psychology, and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology), and was a die-hard supporter of the Florida State University Seminoles (a Life Member of the FSU Alumni Association and a Silver Chief Booster).
He made his home in the idyllic Northwest FL panhandle, and was an active member of many community organizations and fraternal affiliations to include the Masons, the Shriners, multiple Army and military organizations (MOAA, VFW, AL, and the Army Historical Foundation) and the Krewe of Bowlegs. He served valiantly on the Krewe for over 30 years, culminating with his selection as Captain Billy LVIII.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon, two sons; Kenny and Jonathan, four grandchildren; Dakota, Demi, Daphne, and Kaylee, one brother, Roy and one sister, Susan.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, May 31, at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church, 1028 White Point Road, Niceville, FL. A public viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery at 2 p.m. immediately following the memorial services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. You may go online to offer condolences to the family and sign the guestbook at www.heritagegardensfuneralhome.com. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home of Niceville is entrusted with the arrangements.
Pamela Abdill (Verissimo)
Rest in peace Richard.
Pamela Abdill Verissimo