Clifton J. Harris

Clifton J Harris, known to many as “CJ”, died on April 29, 2022, in his home in Mesa, Arizona, following a short battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his lovely wife Frances. Clifton was born on July 27, 1940, at Martins Ferry, OH. As the fourth child, he was the last born and also the last to die. He married Frances (Obiden) Nov. 1, 1960 at Hermantown, MN. Together they shared a wonderful life, filled with love, laughter and adventure.

A devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He leaves behind his children, Betty (Steven) Snyder, Bud (Deb) Harris, Tempi Harris, Ryan (Susan) Harris as well as numerous other family and friends who loved him.

CJ joined the Air Force in 1958 and served for 26 years. He retired in Mountain Home Idaho as a Senior Master Sergeant. He took advantage of his time in the military by showing his family the world. He loved to travel and by the time he took his final trip, he had been all over the US and to 53 different countries worldwide. After leaving the military, CJ retired from 2 more careers before he heeded the call of the Catholic Church and became an Ordained Deacon in 2001, retiring for the final time in 2014.

Throughout his life, he earned more awards and honors than we can possibly list. He will long be remembered not for what he accomplished doing a job, but rather for the man he was. He was a man of many talents. Whether it was crocheting a beautiful work of art, rebuilding an engine, doing beautiful wood work, or flying a plane, he really could do anything he set his mind on, except beat cancer. He taught his children so much about problem solving, fixing and building things, and also important lessons about standing up for what is right, standing strong when needed and that it’s okay to ask for help. He taught what it meant to be an adult, but most of all, he made sure his family knew they were loved. His sarcasm, sense of humor, and stories will live on through his children. He was generous in all things and he touched more lives than we will ever know.

In a letter to his family in preparation of his death, he wrote: “There will come a day, when for reasons only fully understood by God, I will be pronounced dead. At that certain moment in time it will truly be ‘The best day of my life.’ Give my sins to the devil and commend my soul to God. Persevere knowing that I am finally at peace in the presence of Our Lord…. If you would forget anything, let it be my faults, weaknesses and all of my prejudices. If you choose to remember me, don’t bring or send flowers. Do a kind deed or give a kind word to someone you know who needs it. - I love you all very much.”

His funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 28th at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Boise, Idaho followed by inurnment at the Risen Christ Catholic Church Columbarium. We ask that you honor his wishes, and please join us to help celebrate his life. After all, it was a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, donations can also be made to the Risen Christ Church Debt Reduction Fund.