George Harris

Longtime Parker, Colorado resident George Harris, 61, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday September 11, 2014. He died of sudden cardiac arrest after recently receiving a clean bill of health from a year-long battle fighting colon cancer. Born on June 27, 1953 to Daisy and George Harris in Mobile, Alabama, George decided at a very early age what kind of life he wanted to live both here on earth and in the next life. After tragically losing his parents at the tender age of six, George made a decision to follow Jesus Christ, to acknowledge His ways in all circumstances and to place his hope in Him all the days of his life. A rising star in the choir of New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana, George found his voice and used it to make a joyful noise unto the Lord through his teenage years, college and later as an adult. He attended Purdue University, an alma mater he proudly supported as a seasoned alum. Shortly after graduating from Purdue, George finally made a move that would change the rest of his life. He built up the courage to ask out home town beauty queen and fellow youth choir member, Elaine Teamer. It didn't take George long to realize that Elaine was ""the one"" and the two married on New Year's Eve in 1977. The day he said ""I do"" George was as cool, calm and collected as on any other day. He never understood why men felt so nervous on their wedding day. He always said, he knew God had picked Elaine to be his best friend, life partner and the mother of his children. He simply felt blessed that Elaine picked him as well. Five years later, George and Elaine welcomed their first child Chyrise, whom George outfitted in Boilermaker black and gold as soon as humanly possible. The couple's anniversary became even more meaningful in 1986 when George's son Chad was born also on New Year's Eve. George loved, protected and supported Chyrise and Chad with every ounce of himself. From cheering them on at youth sporting events to giving them career advice as adults, George effortlessly made his children his greatest joy and life's proudest accomplishment. Throughout his career, George worked for several corporations building the human resources department. But it was at GE Johnson Construction that George began to build careers, corporate culture and community. GE Johnson gave George an opportunity to mentor young adults as he expanded the organization's national recruiting program. George's innate leadership abilities provided guidance to executives at GE Johnson and in the local community. Organizations such as Junior Achievement, Leadership Pikes Peak, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado and others will forever feel the impact of George's commitment to position GE Johnson as a contributor to the community. A follower of Christ since childhood, George loved and trusted the Lord wholeheartedly until his final breath. He loved and honored Elaine just as God commands any husband and he taught Chyrise and Chad to always believe that God had a plan for them. As a member of the choir and board of directors at Colorado Community Church, George was loved by many. George's testimony of perseverance and hope in the Lord cast him as a man of great faith who brightly reflected the glory of God. With a voice so abundant the heavens could hear and a laugh unmistakable to anyone near, George will be missed both by family and friends. But when the Lord called His son, Heaven grew quickly by one. So until the day we see George again, we thank God for his life and whisper, amen. George is survived by his wife Elaine, daughter Chyrise, son Chad, his adoptive mother Gussie Bennett, sister Ethel Weems and niece Ashley Weems, mother-in-law Retter Teamer, sisters-in-law, Marva Wheeler and Pamela Teamer Yisrael, brothers-in-law Henry, Terry and Larry Teamer, as well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues. Services to honor George will be held as follows: Memorial Service, Friday, September 19, 2014, 1 PM MT, Colorado Community Church, 2220 S. Chambers Rd., Aurora, CO 80014. Interment to follow, Fairmount Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec St., Denver, CO 80247. The family will accept friends on Thursday, September 18 from 6:00 until 8:00 in the evening at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 E. Dartmouth Avenue in Aurora. Memorial gifts can be made to The George Harris Memorial Fund c/o Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado, Inc. 2320 West Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 Please click on ""Sign Guestbook"" to share memories of George and messages of condolence with his family.