Orville Harris

Orville Stanley “Bud” Harris was born on November 6, 1927 in Missoula to Herbert and Dora Lee Harris, the youngest of 6 siblings.  He spent his initial years growing up on Camas Prairie, then returning with his parents to White Sulphur Springs where he finished school and graduated in 1945.

In 1952 he married Mary K. Cox.  In April 1953 Herb was born, in November 1955 Mark joined the family.   He ranched in White Sulphur Springs until in 1959 he moved his family to the Round Butte area.  He has always felt that was a great decision, as he found true friendships with his neighbors.  They hayed, branded, played pinochle, and raised their kids side by side.  In June 1964 Sandy was born, with Will to follow in April 1966.

Bud always found ways to help better the communities that he called home.  He played an instrumental part in getting the Labor Day rodeo started in White Sulphur Springs.  It was initially to raise money to get a hospital built there in town.   When he moved to the Ronan area, he spent some time on the Ronan School Board, along with being very active in getting a Special Education program started in the valley, initially in Charlo and then Ronan.  He would drive Mark and several others both ways to Charlo so they could benefit from that program.

Bud loved to tell stories of days gone by.  Anyone who visited would be entertained with stories of Camas Prairie, the Harris Ranch in White Sulphur, the Zehntner family, school pranks, basketball games, roping with Bob Darlington, adventures with Round Butte neighbors, riding over the Mission Mountains, and running buffalo, just to name a few.

As Bud and Mary K. became grandparents to 9 children, their world just became fuller.  They loved to watch rodeos and basketball games, always checking in to see how everyone was doing, whether they lived near or far.  Their home was always open with food, lots of laughter, or whatever the kids might need.  They were then blessed with 12 great grandchildren.  Bud always loved to have what he called “grandkid bait” which was usually a bowl of frosted animal cookies on the counter (not sure how many actually got eaten by grandkids but some of the rest of us sure enjoyed them).

Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Friend, Roping Partner, whatever he was known by, he was a strong, reliable, wise, unconditionally loving man who may not have said those words often, but lived them in how he cared for each of us.  He was strong no matter what the circumstances were or what life threw his way.  He will be so greatly missed by all of us who were honored to be a part of his family. There is no way to describe in just a few paragraphs, his long, well-lived life of 91 years.

He passed away of natural causes on August 30, 2019.  He was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Dora Lee Harris; siblings Hazel Ostrom, Hugh and Fred McAdam, Billie Braaten, and Maxine Knight; wife Mary K.; son Mark; grandchildren, Nathan and Cassandra Harris.

He is survived by children Herb (Violet) Harris, Will (Jen) Harris, Sandy (Jim) Jenkins; grandchildren Josh Harris, Stacy Harris (Callahan Belling), Monty (Abby) Harris, Michelle (Jake) Sharbono, Brett Harris, Briana Jenkins, Alicia Jenkins, Skyla (Dylan) Chipera; step-grandchildren Gavin and Ciara Roberts; great grandchildren Brennan, Madison, Cort, Lilly, Ella, Aubrey, Ryan, William, Wyatt, Colby, Ryleigh, Carter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 1:00 pm at Round Butte Clubhouse.