Ronald L. Harris

Ronald Lee Harris, 74, of Junction City, died on Wednesday morning, December 5, 2012 at the Kansas University Medical Center after a prolonged illness. Ron rarely said anything about his faith, preferring to exemplify God's love by his joy in life and his kindness to others.

Ron was born on June 18, 1938 in Chanute, Kansas to Woodrow D. and Frances W. Harris, both deceased. He had two brothers, Doyle Keith Harris, who resides in Wichita, Kansas and Darrell Gene Harris, who preceded Ron in death. He is survived by Kathleen Moore Harris, his wife of fifty-one years and his son Brian Keith Harris and his fiancée Dana Farmer, who live in Lawrence, Kansas. Ron and Kathleen had two other children: David Glenn Harris and Jennifer Beth Harris, both deceased.

Ron graduated from Arkansas Community College in 1959 and earned a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from Emporia State College in 1961. He began his thirty-nine year teaching career in Junction City, KS.

He taught for one year in 1961 at Jefferson Elementary on Fort Riley, and transferred in 1962 to the new Fort Riley Junior High School, where he spent his entire career teaching Civics and Social Studies. Ron coached football and basketball for many years and touched the lives of many youths as well as all who knew him.

From earliest childhood, Ron had a quick mind and a love of history and sports, a warm, compassionate heart, and an irrepressible sense of humor. As a very young child, Ron was fascinated with Native American cultures. He studied them and began an artifact collection that would continue for the rest of his life.

From elementary school days, he loved to read, poring over history books for hours. He had such an uncanny recall of historical facts that friends called him "the walking encyclopedia." Ron was a talented and creative story-teller, making history come alive for friends and students. His lesson plans actively engaged students in learning.

Coach Harris motivated his student athletes to perform to the best of their abilities, and to play the game with passion, discipline, and commitment. He taught them to enjoy the game and to make their best effort. He continuously stressed good sportsmanship and respect for coaches, fellow athletes, and opponents. He led his teams by example.

Ron was quick to see the needs of others, and to assist them in quiet unassuming ways. He neither desired nor needed to be in the limelight, but preferred to work quietly behind the scenes, helping others at their point of need.

Ron delighted and entertained his students and friends with his funny stories about growing up, hunting and fishing camp stories, and incongruous life experiences as well as fascinating historical events. He was quick to see the humor in situations and to recount them well. His ready smile and laughter warmed the hearts of all who knew him and encouraged them stories of their own.

After retiring from teaching, Ron worked as Historic Site Manager for the Geary County Historical Museum from 2002 to the date of his death. One of his most exciting endeavors was the moving of the historic Wetzel log cabin from its site in a roadside park on Highway I-70 east of Junction City to its present site west of Junction City on Spring Valley Road, where it is much better protected from vandals and the weather. He loved conducting tours for museum visitors, working with staff and volunteers, and serving wherever he was needed.

Ron was a charter member of the Smoky Hills Trail Association from its organization in 2007. In 2009, he served as the host of the Smoky Hill Trail Association Convention in Junction City. Since 2011, he has served as the Chairman of the National Historic Trails Committee.

Ron was also a Founding Member of the National Heritage Foundation, serving on the board of directors in 2008-2009 and continuing to serve as a representative for Geary County on that board to the present.

Ron was a founding member on the board of the Partners of the First Territorial Capitol of Kansas in 2002, and continued to serve in that capacity to the present time as Secretary and Vice President of the Board. He was an enthusiastic promoter and a historical reinactor, performing as the Honorable Martin F. Conway, a statesman who was vitally involved in the conflict leading up to the Civil War.

Ron will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Ronald's life will be held at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington St. with Pastor David Wingate officiating. Memorial contributions have been designated to the Partners of First Territorial Capitol, PO Box 2122, Fort Riley, KS 66442.