Obituary of Gene Duane Harris

Ashburn, VA- Gene D. Harris, 94, of Ashburn, VA died Sunday, January 13th, 2019 at the Reston, Hospital under the care of VITAS Hospice.

Gene was born in Onawa, Iowa on November 16, 1924, the son of Richard Lowell Harris and Nora Fern (Carpenter) Harris.  Most of his early life was in Sioux City, Iowa, where he received an 8th grade education.

In 1943, he joined the ranks of the Army’s 3rd Infantry in WWII, where as a Sergeant he earned numerous medals:  the coveted French Croix de Guerre for bravery, Presidential Citation, Combat Infantry Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Following the war, he returned to Sioux City, Iowa and on January 4, 1947, he married Joan Deneice Rembe in Sioux City, Iowa.  He became a step-father to her young son, Larry.  Then, on April 11, 1948, his daughter, Cinda Lea was born.  He was an active member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Sioux City, enjoyed gardening, wood working, and visiting with neighbors and relatives.

His early career in the candy business began at Candy Land in Sioux City where he made marshmallows.  Next, he and the family moved to Kendallville, Indiana to begin work at Kraft Foods.   Hawthorne, CA was their next move where he obtained employment with Merle Norman Cosmetics in Los Angeles, CA.  He retired from Merle Norman Cosmetics in the late ’80’s.  A decision was made to return to their roots in 1995 to Sioux City where they lived for over 20 years. His wife passed away in 2012.   So, in 2016, Gene decided to move to Virginia to be near his daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  

At 91 years of age, he was able to live independently for 2 years before major health issues caused him to move to an assisted living facility, Tribute at One Loudoun, where he remained until his death.

He is survived by a sister, Greta Kroll of Sioux City, Iowa and a daughter and her husband, Cinda and Robert Hughes of Ashburn, VA, daughter-in-law, Dorothy Becker of Boerne, TX; four grandchildren: Douglas and  wife, Gina Becker of Boerne, TX, Bradley Becker of Georgetown, TX, Bryan and wife Edna Hughes of Ashburn, VA and Jennifer and husband, Zachary Gordon of Ashburn, VA.  Five Great Grandchildren:  Irina Becker of Boerne, Tx, Hope and Samuel Hughes of Ashburn, VA and Adam and Emily Gordon of Ashburn, VA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Joan, his step-son, Dr. Larry Becker, three sisters:  Itha Sexton, Letha Newman, Nita Edlund, and three brothers: Gail Harris, Neal Harris, and Dickie Harris.

Services will be held at the Adams-Green Funeral Home in Herndon, VA.  Visitation is from 2:00-3:00 PM on Friday, Jan. 18th.   At 3:00 PM Pastor Joseph Vought from Community Lutheran Church will be officiating the funeral.  Gene will be laid to rest in Primghar, Iowa at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with Pastor David Halaas from St. Mark Lutheran Church in Sioux City officiating.  Interment is pending.