Johnie Ray Harris

Johnie Ray Harris Sr. passed away peacefully on March 2, 2024 at the age of 75 after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.     

Johnie moved from his birthplace of Texas to Olathe, CO where he spent a great deal of his childhood. 

He graduated from Olathe High School, and enlisted in the US Army where he was medically discharged shortly after bootcamp. Johnie worked at Idarado Mine in the San Juan Mountains of Ouray County, Colorado as a hard rock miner.  In 1977, Johnie and his family moved to Nucla, CO where he was a mine foreman for Cotter Corporation until his retirement in 2012.   

Johnie found the love of his life, Dolores Webb, at the age of 21.  The two were married on July 5, 1969 at Olathe Methodist Church and built a beautiful life over their nearly 55 years together.  Road trips across the country with Dolores were some of Johnie's favorite memories, and the two were inseparable.  Their love and commitment to each other is inspirational to all that know them. 

A true outdoorsman, Johnie loved the mountains.  He spent countless hours in nature with his three sons hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. His adventurous spirit lives on through his family, and he passed this love of the outdoors all the way down to his great grandchildren.  Johnie loved to read, and would read multiple books everyday with his dog on his lap.  His quick wit and great sense of humor kept his family laughing until his final moments.  Johnie was a friend to all, and to those who needed him most. He loved his family fiercely, and his final days were a testament to that love reciprocated.   

Johnie is preceded in death by his father, Jerrel; mother, Anita; brother, Larry; and his beloved son, Johnie Ray Jr. (Heather). He is survived by: his wife Dolores, two sons, Robert (Molly) Harris and Randy (Lacey) Harris; His eight grandchildren, Brent (Sarah) Harris, Danny (Makiah) Harris, Talon Harris, Hayden (Reese) Harris, Colten Harris, Grace Harris, Mason Harris, and Payton Harris; His five great grandchildren, Harvey, Jace, Mehlani, Maddox, and Tatum. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Jones, and Susan Clemonts, as well as many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. 

Johnie's spirit and love for his family lives on as we celebrate the life of a wonderful man. 

Graveside services will be held at a later date in Nucla.