Loren Emory Harris, age 90, died 9/20/2024, was born 12/4/1933, in Clayton, Kansas. He was raised on the farm and had a love for agriculture his entire life, and often referred to himself as “just an old farm boy.’’ At age 3, Loren and his twin sister lost their mother, Estella. Loren’s father, Rollie, later married Mini Frank. He graduated from Jennings High School in 1951 and Kansas State University in 1955 with a BS degree in agricultural economics. Upon graduation, Loren was commissioned as 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
Loren married the love of his life, Phyllis Olson, June 5, 1955. Three daughters were born into this union. Loren entered the Air Force and was stationed at Malden, Missouri, San Antonio, Texas, Wiesbaden, Germany, and served as an accounting officer in the United States Air Force serving through 1957.
He served at the Saline County Extension Office as an agricultural agent. He was an agricultural loan officer at National Bank of America for over 20 years. He was a Sales Insurance Representative for the Saline County Farm Bureau and for John Deere Insurance Company. Loren was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed many hunting adventures in Kansas and Colorado, was a master gardener and especially loved growing roses. He was active in numerous community organizations including Salina Masonic Lodge #60, Isis Shrine Temple, Lions Club for 65 years, President of Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, 4-H, The Gideons, and served on numerous boards. Loren played the bagpipes and was part of the Shriners Pipes and Drums.
Loren was preceded in death by his father, mother, and stepmother, Rollie, Estella and Mini, siblings, Myron, Floyd, Doyle, twin sister Lois, Marjorie, Mac, and daughter, Dianna Harris. Survivors include wife, Phyllis, of 69 years, sister, Rosalee Price of Asheboro, North Carolina, daughters Susan (David) Rodgers of Hermiston, Oregon, Barbara (Tim) Nelson of Wichita, Kansas, grandchildren Kristina Rodgers of Meridianville, Alabama, Clint Rodgers of Portland, Oregon, Kelsey (Quinten) Shoopman of Wichita, Kansas, Madison (Zack) Kimble, of Wichita, Kansas, and several nieces and a nephew.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 10:30 a.m., at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 743 E. Magnolia Rd, Salina, KS, with burial following at Roselawn Memorial Park, 1920 E. Crawford, Salina, KS.
Memorials can be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 743 E Magnolia Road, Salina, KS and Occupational Center of Central Kansas (OCCK), 1710 W Schilling Rd, Salina, KS.