Dr. Jim Harris

January 24, 1953 - August 12, 2018

Dr. James Harris, age 65, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Sunday, August 12, 2018 at his home surrounded by loving family and friends. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Bernie Weir officiating. Calling hours will begin 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 17th at St. James Catholic Church where the family will be present to receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday evening. Interment will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Washington High School Athletics, Washington Community YMCA, University of Iowa Foundation/College of Dentistry, St. James Catholic Church, and the WCHC Foundation. Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Jim’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. James Morlan Harris was born January 24, 1953, in Centerville, Iowa, the son of James and Patricia (Morlan) Harris. He graduated from Washington High School in 1971; he attended the University of South Dakota for two years and then graduated from the University of Iowa, receiving B.S.(’75) and D.D.S.(’79). Jim married Ann Devitt on June 24, 1978, in La Grange, Illinois. Dr. Harris had been in private dental practice in Washington since 1979, with Dr. Mike Leary and then in 1984 his wife, Dr. Ann Harris, joined him in Harris & Harris Dental. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in the department of Family Dentistry. Dr. Harris had been a lifetime member of the Iowa Dental Association and American Dental Association, serving in many roles in both organizations including president of the IDA. He received the IDA Distinguished Service Award, was a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and a fellow in the American College of Dentists, serving as section chair. He had been a dental licensure examiner for the Central Regional Dental Testing Service since 1995 and served as chair of the Exam Review Committee. Jim was a member of St. James Catholic Church where he served on the Parish Council and was a past president of the St. James School Board. He served on many community boards including that of the Washington County Hospital Board of Trustees, which he served on for 18 years, the Washington State Bank, Washington YMCA, Washington Chamber of Commerce, and the Washington County Club. He was a member and past president of the Washington Kiwanis Noon and AM’ers Clubs and the Washington Y’s Men’s Club. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Ann Devitt Harris of Washington, IA; son, James Devitt Harris of Washington, IA; daughter, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Harris of Lindsborg, KS; son, Joseph Morlan Harris of Wichita, KS; granddaughter, Lilly Anna Harris of Washington, IA; mother, Patricia (Dr. John) Minneman of Washington, IA; brother, John B. (Peg) Harris of Washington, IA; sister, Jenny (David) Sojka of Iowa City, IA; brothers and sisters-in-law: Ree (Bob) Thelen of Western Springs, IL; Edward (Betty) Devitt of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; Susan Devitt of La Grange, IL; Paul (Mara) Devitt of La Grange, IL; Jean (Dr. Graig) Brown of Tucson, AZ; Clare (Dr. Bob) Groya of La Grange, IL; Patricia Devitt of La Grange, IL; Bill (Pam) Devitt of La Grange Park, IL; and Mary Ellen Devitt of La Grange, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, James Harris; sister, Candace; and father and mother-in-law, Ned and Joan Devitt.