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Harold Dean Morris, 79

Harold Dean Morris passed away March 29, 2019, in Loma Linda, Calif., after a short illness. Harold is now celebrating with his heavenly Father. Gunnar, Harold’s 6-year-old grandson, said it best. “You know that place where angels go, yeah, heaven,” he said. “That’s where Grandpa is and his soul is free. Grandpa is OK now.” He will be forever in his families’ hearts, his memory cherished and bigger than life presence missed. His wife, children, grandchildren, sisters and friends will miss the conversations discussing family, their day’s experiences, advice when asked (or not) and memories of times lived and loved.

He was born Sept. 4, 1939, in Cape Fair, Mo., to Fern and Charline Morris. The family moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., and then to Boise, Idaho, when Harold was a youngster. He lived most of his life in Idaho; a resident of Coeur d’Alene since 1984.

Harold’s passions for life were many. He learned to ride broncs when a young man, an experience gained on his grandfather’s farm in Boise. He enjoyed horseback riding and participated in real life cattle drives from Boise to Long Valley near Cascade, Idaho. He was an accomplished country singer, touring with his band for a time. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and recreating in the outdoors. He loved to entertain family and friends, playing his guitar and singing with his big, beautiful voice to finish off a day of adventures around a crackling campfire.

Harold was very active in the off-highway recreation vehicle community for the past 20 years. He was steadfast and unwavering in his commitment to maintaining public access to public lands, well-known to many Forest Service and Idaho Park & Recreation folks. One accomplishment of his hard work resulted in an ATV trail system on Fourth of July pass being approved and built. He was instrumental in starting Back Country ATV-UTV Association and helped North Idaho ATV Association get established, as well as the Idaho State ATV Association.

Harold loved the outdoors and often said he felt closest to God while in the mountains. He shared his love of adventure for the past 12-plus years, organizing and leading hundreds of people on ATV-UTV trail rides in White Bird, Idaho, into Idaho’s Hells Canyon over Memorial Day weekends. Many expressed their appreciation and awe of the country and thanked Harold for the best ride they had ever been on.

Harold held in highest regard his family. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Judy; his most beloved children, Randy Morris of Moscow, Idaho, Tammy Combs of Coeur d’Alene, Rochelle Morris of Newport, Ore., Michelle Clothey-Riveria of Colorado Springs, Colo., Heather Dahlman of Coeur d’Alene, Heidi Whorley of Yakima, Wash., and Benjamin Morris of Spokane, Wash.; sisters Barbara Sue Hansen of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Betty Carter and Doris Johnson of Meridian, Idaho; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Sharon Burchette and daughter, Norreassa Morris-Huck.

Family and friends will celebrate Harold Dean’s life Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Real Life Ministries, 1860 N. Cecil Road, Building 2, Post Falls, Idaho, with a service at 1 p.m. and a reception to follow.