Richard Ferrel Harris

Richard Ferrel Harris, 87, of Raymore, MO passed away on March 3, 2023.  With loved ones at his bedside and after a yearlong battle with cancer, he peacefully met his Lord and Savior.  He was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1935 in Kansas City, MO to William Henry and Della Abigail Harris, who preceded him in death. Richard attended Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO.  Shortly after, he joined the U.S. Army where he served three years in Panama, protecting the Panama Canal for the United States.   

Richard worked 35 years as a meat cutter.  Toward the end of his career, he opened and operated Harris’ Country Store in Raymore, MO with his beloved wife, Ellen.  Together, they ran the successful grocery operation for over 6 years and befriended most of the town.  The Raymore community continues to share cherished memories of that wonderful, little store twenty-eight years later.   

Richard’s greatest loves were his Savior, his beloved family, and his passion for bluegrass music.  He put his faith in Jesus at an early age and shared his faith quietly and respectfully throughout his life.  He even ministered and expressed his immense love for the Lord, right up until his passing.  Richard met Ellen Nichols at the Country Club Dairy in Kansas City in 1957.  He fell head over heels for her and they were married four months later.  This was a love and marriage that spanned 65 years.  Their union brought forth four children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.  He loved and cherished each one and continually encouraged them.  Always beaming with pride, he especially loved to share all of their talents and accomplishments with friends and acquaintances. Richard and Ellen shared their love of travelling in their RV and tending to their beautiful acreage, flowers, and landscaping.  He was a phenomenal bluegrass musician who played mandolin, guitar, standup bass, and even the fiddle for a time. He performed in professional bluegrass bands for over 50 years.  The highlight of his music career was spending 10 summers in Branson, performing at Silver Dollar City’s ‘Mountain Folks Music Festival’.  Richard and his bluegrass buddies also performed at local events and churches throughout the years.  In more recent years, they gathered together weekly to play at the Harris home in Raymore.  It was coined ‘Harris Tuesday Night Jam’ and the group met all the way up until 3 weeks before his passing.  Richard, who most of his friends lovingly referred to as Dick, was the ‘Leader of the Band’.  This was not only to his fellow musicians, but also to his loving family.  He will be remembered and dearly missed every day until our great reunion with him in Heaven.  When that day comes, we will surely find him picking his mandolin and singing in Jesus’ Heavenly Bluegrass Band.   

In addition to his beloved wife Ellen, survivors include his children: Pamela (Sherman) Wofford of Raymore, MO, Patricia (Mark) Gilgus of Parkville, MO, Phyllis (Bradley) Harris of Raymore, MO, Richard F. (Holly) Harris, Jr of West Plains, MO, eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who were all loved and cherished.  

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Richard’s life on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Fellowship Church in Raymore, 116 S. Washington Street, Raymore, MO.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m. This will be followed by a short graveside service at Raymore Cemetery.   

Memorial contributions are suggested to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, 9001 State Line Rd., Suite #300, Kansas City, Missouri 64114 or https://www.kchospice.org/donation/.