Donn Richard Harris

Donn Richard Harris passed away peacefully Aug. 18, 2024. 

Donn was born Feb. 14, 1953, in Chicago, Ill., to Richard and Donna (Kater) Schweitzer and was reared by Donna and Burton Harris. Having an aptitude for learning, Donn graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy after only three years, when he was 17 years old. He had various jobs in his young adult life, including working in hydraulics, where he helped create the Universal Studios Shark Exhibit. Donn spent his youth in Puerto Rico and Spain with his parents Donna and Burton and became fluent in Spanish. He later made his career as a certified Spanish court interpreter, one of the first in Grant County, Wash. 

In 1980, Donn had a daughter, Danielle, and later in 1994 he had a son, David Richard. Donn was also a foster dad to Vesta and Melissa. Although he struggled with alcoholism throughout his life, Donn eventually entered the Transformation House, a Christian Discipleship Program headed by Gary Pierce, Jr. Ray Lotter was instrumental in his conversion, where Donn was delivered from alcoholism, assured he was forgiven, and accepted by his Creator and Judge. Donn was made a child of God, with a sure destination in Heaven, with joys forevermore. 

In 2013, Donn was miraculously cured of liver cancer and in 2014, he married Tally Ryan. Together they enjoyed hosting King's Tabernacle on Friday evenings, bowling, the shooting range in Ephrata, crossword puzzles and learning the Word of God.

Donn is survived by his sister Donna Whitten of Alabama, daughter Danielle Harris of Arizona, son David Richard of Moses Lake, foster daughter Vesta of Moses Lake, foster daughter Melissa of Ohio and wife Tally of Moses Lake.