Gilbert Gene Harris

Gilbert Gene Harris, 92, of Nevada, MO, passed away on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS. Gilbert was born on June 4, 1929 in Chattanooga, OK to Edrick and Ethel (Hardesty) Harris. He married Rhoda C. Wilkinson on September 20, 1954 in Carlsbad, NM and she preceded him in death on December 11, 2016.

Gilbert was raised in and around Chattanooga, OK and spent time in Florida and New Mexico before moving to the Branson, MO area where he worked in excavation and construction. In 1967 he came to Nevada to work for Missouri Pacific Railroad on a track maintenance crew. After retiring from the railroad in 1986 they moved to Arizona where went to work as a cowboy on a ranch and also for the U. S. Forest Service as a Range Inspector. Gilbert also enjoyed driving a stagecoach while in Arizona. They eventually returned to Vernon County upon retirement. They traveled to Arizona in the winters and came back to Nevada in the summer for many years. He was a longtime member of Nevada Wranglers Saddle Club and Vernon County Sheriffs Mounted Patrol.

Survivors include four daughters, Shelly Chadd, Milo, MO, Debbie Bliss, Ft. Scott, KS, Donna Wagner and her husband Max, Nevada, and Raye Swopes and her husband Clint, Walker, MO; one sister Estelle Hefner, Wichita Falls, TX; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; Trish Harris, daughter-in-law,  Moundville, MO and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Rhoda, Gilbert was preceded in death by a son Gil, a daughter Gretta Russell, a granddaughter, Lori Woods, three sisters, and one brother.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Dr. Kevin Daugherty officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute in Gilbert’s memory to the Vernon County Youth Fair in care of Ferry Funeral Home.
 

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