Douglas Harris

Doug Harris, age 70, of Mitchellville, Iowa, was called to his eternal home on July 24, 2022, in Springfield, Missouri, following a left middle cerebral artery stroke that occurred on the last day of a vacation with his family in Branson. Honoring his wishes, Doug’s body was cremated following organ donation, and a celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 14, 2022, at Berean Church, 5299 East University, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, where Doug was a long-time member and was active in the music/worship arts department.

Born on July 16, 1952, to James and Bernadine (Bonser) Harris in Bethesda, Maryland, Doug grew up in Davenport, Iowa, graduating from Central High School in 1970. He moved to Des Moines in 1973 after marring high school classmate Nancy Hallman, whom he had met on a blind date in 1971. Doug and Nancy served together on the CHS ’70 Reunion Committee for many years and were planning a twice-canceled-due-to-Covid 50-year reunion this fall as the Class of ’70 Turns 70.

Doug was employed in the accounting field in Des Moines before starting a lawn and landscaping company. He was also employed with Midwest Delivery Company and Arrow Stage Lines. After retiring in January 2022 from the Southeast Polk School District as a school bus driver, he was looking forward to years of traveling around the state and country with his wife and volunteering with organizations such as Hope Ministries, Convoy of Hope, and the Salvation Army.

Doug was also a musician. Following high school, he played lead guitar with a group in Davenport called Blind Date. After being in Des Moines and wanting to get back to playing guitar, Doug auditioned with ReaBorne and traveled with that group throughout central Iowa for many years until his day job moved him out of state. Upon returning to Des Moines, he started playing bass and traveling with The Spiritual Vibrations, which allowed him to become a member of and serve on the board of directors of the Midwest Quartet Association for several years. Doug later played bass guitar with Oasis, and then with a 50’s group called Stuck in
Reverse.

Doug leaves loving memories to be cherished by his wife, Nancy Hallman Harris of Mitchellville. He also leaves behind their two children, Jennifer (Eric) Geery of Mitchellville and David (Autumn) Harris of Des Moines, and one grandchild, Willow Geery, also of Mitchellville; his brother Jeff (Carmen) Harris of West Des Moines; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Matthew Harris.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to cover expenses incurred due to Doug’s out-of-state hospitalization or donated in his memory to one of the non-profit organizations mentioned above.

Memories of Doug and online condolences may be shared for the family at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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