Ronald "Rock" Harris

Ronald “Rock” Harris, of Washington, 89, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Woodside Place in Washington. Rock was born on March 26, 1935, the son of the late Ralph and Mildred Harris. He graduated from Washington High School in 1952. Rock was a US Army Veteran, where he served for 2 years and was stationed in Germany. On September 28, 1957, Rock married the absolute love of his life, Barbara Lee Harris, who survives. Barb and Rock were the definition of soulmates and truly inseparable. Their love carried them through raising six children, many great adventures, and caring for a house they genuinely made into a home. Rock was employed by Jessop Steel Company (ATI), where he worked in the lab for 51 years until he retired in 2004, and the Meadows Racetrack. He was a current member of St. James Parish in Washington, and he made sure to carry his faith with him always. Rock loved to spend time outdoors. He never missed an opportunity to spend time at his camp, Mox Nix, where he would hunt, go for a ride through the mountains, or take a walk in the woods with one of his many walking sticks. He especially cherished time at the camp with his brothers Rip and Eddie, who were his constant companions. Additionally, Rock and Barb loved to travel around the country, visiting countless states, sightseeing, and exploring new places. Rock always looked forward to the annual family summer vacation to Cape May with his children and grandchildren. He would always be next to Barb on the beach blanket with his tennis shoes, bright colored hat with his beach tag pinned to the top and unbuttoned collared shirt. Their favorite day at the beach involved waking their grandchildren up early to walk to the lighthouse. When at home, you could find Rock mowing the grass, sitting on the front porch, watching the news, or taking Barb on a ride to get a milkshake. Rock had an incredibly gentle and kind soul towards everyone and was an amazing Dad and Pap. He will be missed so much. Waiting for Rock in Heaven are his brothers, Rip Harris and Eddie Harris; a daughter, Cheryl Johnston; a son-in-law, Vaughn Johnston; a daughter-in-law, Amy Harris; and a grandson, Ryan Johnston. Surviving are sons Mikey Harris, Ronnie (Sandy) Harris, and Tommy (Kristy) Harris; daughters Tracy (Derek) Desmond and Jody Polen; grandchildren Chelsea (James Ridgedell) Johnston, Nikki (Rudi) Baker, Adam Johnston, Travis Polen, Tanya (Jeremy) Dearing, Jessica (Justin) VanHorn, Samantha (Garrett) Korpus, Alexa (Ben) Cornelius, Tyler Harris, Cody Harris, Luke (Georgia) Desmond, Rachel Polen, Aaron (Morgan) Harris, and Emma Harris; great-grandchildren Maci and Hadli Baker, Stella and Ava Korpus, Colter Desmond, Bella, Cash, Bristol, and Cali Dearing, Landon Ebright, and Jaxon and Ryker VanHorn; close nephew Joe (Brenda) Harris; family member Cliff Polen; and many additional and special nieces and nephews. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2024, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2024, in Immaculate Conception Church, Washington, with Father Michael Peck officiating. In remembrance of Rock’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.