HARRIS, Rodney J., 85, August 3, 2014.
PATTEN – Rodney James Harris passed away at the age of 85 on August 3, 2014. He was born September 20, 1928, in Fort Fairfield, Maine, to Perley and Sadie Harris. He married Esther Boynton on October 27, 1949.
Rodney grew up in Fort Fairfield and moved to Patten with his family when he was in his teens. He and his father were partners in a successful potato farming business, and Rodney continued to farm after Perley’s retirement. Following his own retirement, Rodney worked as a courier for Katahdin Trust Company. He was a member of Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church in Patten. He served on many agricultural, community, and church boards and committees.
Rodney is survived by three children and their spouses, Debbie and Kemp Coolong of Mt. Chase, Lynn and Duane Merry of Sherman, and Scott and Lorna Harris of Patten. He is survived by five grandchildren and their spouses, Eric and Billie Davenport of Clifton, Emily and Rick Robinson of Bangor, Tellis Coolong of Milford, Melissa and Adam Probert of Cleveland, Ohio, and Dylan Harris of Baileyville. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Brooklyn and Deavin Davenport, Ashley and Bronx Leighton, and Ashley, Regan, Jack, and soon-to-be-born Nora Robinson. He was predeceased by his beloved Esther in 2007 and his grandson Spec. Dustin Harris, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2006.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans’ Memorial Library in Patten or to the Main Street Flag Fund, care of Marty Arbo, in Patten.
