Harris, Rick C.

 Rick C. Harris, 70, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, April 18, 2012. Memorial Gathering: noon Monday, April 23, at Hope Lutheran Church, by the Rev. Dan Clark-Bridges. Family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until service time on Monday at the church. Arrangements with Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Sonya; his children, John (Jodi) Harris, Mark (Sandy) Harris, Natasha (Charles) Moyle and Jeffrey Harris, all of Cedar Rapids, and Miranda Harris (Ben Wright) of Iowa City; 21 grandchildren; sister, Marsha; special friend, Ralph Baughman; second mother, Millie Jedlicka; many nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends.

He was preceded in death by parents; and brothers, Varge and John.

Rick was born Dec. 13, 1941, the son of Varge Harris and Fern Hook, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After being best friends for 10 years, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sonya Schmidt, on June 10, 1997. For 29 years, Rick worked for Nissen/Universal Gym Equipment. He was also a private electrical contractor in Cedar Rapids from 1973 to 2004.

Rick loved drinking coffee and gabbing with his buddies. He enjoyed going to garage sales to hunt for treasures and fine dining at all the local cafes.

Rick lived life to the fullest, he loved like there would be no tomorrow. In the game of life, he did not worry about how others thought. Happiness was so much more important. His Grandma Ida Mae was waiting nearby to pinch his cheeks and fly him home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the East Central Iowa Chapter, Autism Society, 642 10th St., Suite 201, Marion, IA 52302, in memory of Rick.

Per Rick's request, please dress casual.

Please sign the online guest book for Rick at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published April 20 and 22, 2012 in The Gazette