Justice David Harris, 82, passed away on June 27, 2010 in Jefferson IA.  Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday June 30 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jefferson.  Visitation begins at 12 noon Tuesday at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson, where the family will greet friends between 5:30 to 7:00pm Tuesday, followed by a Vigil for the Deceased at 7:00pm. 

David Harris was a native of Jefferson.  He was born July 29, 1927 to Orville and Jessie (Smart) Harris. He was a member of the Jefferson High School Class of 1945. Upon graduation, he served with the 7th Infantry Division United States Army during WWII in the Pacific Theatre.  Following the war, he attended the University of Iowa where he received his undergraduate degree in 1949 and his law degree in 1951. 

Following his admission to the bar, Justice Harris worked in private practice in Jefferson from 1951 to 1962.  From 1959 to 1962 he served as Greene County Attorney.

Justice Harris began his judicial career in 1962 when he was appointed to the district court by Governor Norman Erbe.  When asked about his greatest professional accomplishment, without hesitation, he said his work as a district court judge working with the Iowa juvenile court system. In 1972 he was appointed to the Iowa Supreme Court by Governor Robert Ray.  He authored over 800 majority opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court and more than 100 dissents.  He received the Award of Merit from the Iowa Judges Association in 1992. 

In 1948 he was united in marriage to Madonna Coyne, his "bride" of 62 years.  They were the parents of three children, Jane (Nick) Martino, Julie Harris, and Rick (Jill) Harris.  One of David’s greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren: Jen Martino and Laura (John) Martino Tiffany, Michael, Catherine, Maria and Joseph Harris. He also enjoyed writing poetry, the "canoe country", a story well told, music and laughter.  Harris was a devoted father and grandfather.  He loved Greene County and its parks, especially Seven Hills Park.  He was one of Iowa's greatest Hawkeye fans, at one time attending every home Iowa football game for 27 straight years.  He fondly remembers watching the spring game on the sideline with Nile Kinnick, the year after Kinnick won the Heisman Trophy.

David was preceded in death by his parents, brother Sheldon, sisters Jean Jones, Margaret Engelhardt and Katharine Thomas.  He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and his brother John R. (Pete) Harris of Des Moines.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Jefferson Russell Park Project (a park where David played as a child) c/o the Finley Law Firm 699 Walnut Street, Suite 1900 Des Moines, IA 50309-3905 or the Jefferson Public Library.