Roland James Harris

It was an antique rocking chair. More than that, it was a family heirloom. And to the woman who owned the chair, a woman dying from cancer, it represented something she had always wished she could restore to its former glory and now never would. It was unfinished business.

Then a friend of the dying woman saw the chair and thought of her neighbor Roland James Harris. She mentioned the chair to Roland and asked if he might be willing to take a look at it. Roland offered to do so for free.

One week later, the neighbor stopped by to pick up the chair for her dear friend and couldn't believe the transformation. The chair was flawless … perfectly restored. She was so overcome with gratitude and emotion for the restored chair—which her friend was absolutely thrilled by—that she wrote a poem entitled "Poetry in the Woodshop" to thank Roland for his selfless service.

Volume upon volume of such poems could be written about the many ways Roland spent his life helping others.

Roland James Harris, born April 23, 1942 in Modesto, California, learned early on in life that he was exceedingly good with his hands. He could learn how to do something once, and afterward seemingly never forgot. He became a builder by profession, but he built so much more than walls and rooftops. He built lives.

He served as scoutmaster in his church on five separate occasions in multiple wards. He served several missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One as a young man, and several with his lifelong sweetheart Janet Ruth White Harris. On their two-year mission to Uganda, Roland and Janet had separate but equally important tasks. She kept the missionaries healthy as a medical missionary, and Roland kept everything running smoothly as a repairman and overall fix-it guru.

Yet even the full-time missions don't tell the real story. These are perhaps highlights, but highlights in a lifetime of giving. Even when Roland wasn't a full-time missionary, he was still a full-time servant of the God he loved. He believed in and lived the scripture found in Mosiah 2:17. "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." He had an abiding love of Jesus Christ.

Roland always, always came to the rescue. His pickup truck logged countless miles as he'd throw in his tools and head off at a moment's notice to help out a family member, a friend, or even a stranger in need. Truly he wore out his life in helping others, any time of day, any season of life.

He met his sweetheart Janet on a blind date at a Church dance in California. They were married in the Oakland California Temple in 1967 and spent 47 years together, side by side. They are the parents of six children and grandparents of 23 grandchildren.

Roland has always been known for his generous laugh. He loved to smile, he loved to make you feel happy inside. He loved watching green things grow, and loved being in nature. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, and above all, sharing these activities side by side with loved ones.

He passed away peacefully on June 22, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 27, 2016 at Meadows LDS Chapel, 9455 S. 4800 W., South Jordan, UT. The poem written for Roland's kindness in restoring the antique rocking chair, "Poetry in the Woodshop," will be recited by one of his daughters as part of the services. Visitations will be held on Sunday, June 26, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 pm and on Monday from 10:00-10:45 am at the church. Interment at South Jordan City Cemetery.

Funeral Home:
Jenkins-Soffe South Valley
1007 W. South Jordan Parkway
South Jordan, UT