James (Jim) Frederick Harris

James (Jim) Frederick Harris, 77, of Priest River, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home in the presence of his family on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Jim earned the nickname of “the miracle man” from his medical doctors and hospice nurses after years of coming back from many heart events.

Jim was born in 1945 in Yakima, Washington and later moved to Moses Lake where he went to high school and met the love of his life, Merrily Hill, in geometry class. In 1966, while he was attending the University of Washington on a football scholarship, the two were married. He later moved to Moses Lake where their daughter Tricia, and son Robbie were born. His career started at Lad Irrigation, and in 1973 he went to work for Grant County PUD as a journeyman lineman, where he retired after 30 years of service. Jim was a “get-’er-done” kind of guy with a servant's heart.

After retiring, he and Merrily moved to Spokane where they were active for years at the Spokane Healing Rooms. During that time, they opened their home to many young women in need and began a home group in 2008 that continues as River of Hope to this day. Jim was a big man with a big heart and was known as "Pops" to many of the people who came to their home. You could always count on Jim saying, "When you come through this door, you are family." Their ministry was not limited to their home but included countless servers, store employees and people they met along their journey. Jim would invariably pray for them, whoever, and wherever they were. He liked to say, "When you pray, something always happens." Jim was the heart and soul of his wide circle of influence and his passing leaves a big gap in his close-knit family and circle of friends. Yet he has left us with many memories of a life lived in service to others and a shining example of loving God first and your neighbor as yourself.

He was preceded in death by both parents, Lulu Barbara and Grant Harris. He is survived by his wife Merrily; daughter Tricia (Travis) Cox of Priest River, Idaho; son Robbie (Amy) Harris of Moses Lake, Washington; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; brother Dick (Eloise) Harris of Villa Park, California and sisters Barbara (Doug) Schonewald, of Moses Lake, Washington and Nancy (Ron) Harris, of Spokane, Washington.

Jim’s Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 13 at 1 p.m. at Sun City Church, 10920 E. Sprague, Spokane Valley Washington.