Robert Lee Harris

Elder Robert L. Harris of Ogden passed from death to life on Tuesday, February 22, 2005. He was born in Fort Worth, TX and later settled in Ogden, Utah. He was retired from the Union Pacific Railroad.

He married Rosa Harris, they later divorced. In 1956 he married Evelyn V. Owens. He was an entrepreneur and operated various grocery stores throughout the city of Ogden and became famous for his "Best Soul Barbeque Sauce." He was a member of the Church of God in Christ.

He gained notoriety as a political, civil and human rights activist, who in 1977 became Utah's 1st Black Elected official to the State House of Representatives. He was arrested over 97 times for various protests and marched to Washington, DC to lie down in the driveway of the White House to fight for equality for all. He held a strong love for all people and strived to help as many as he could.

He is survived by his children; Benny, Mervin, Robbie, Martha and Carolyn; his granddaughters that he helped raise, Evelyn, Sheletta and La' Mae and a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his devoted wife Evelyn of 47 years.
VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden
100 Monroe Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
March 2, 2005
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
ServiceMyers Mortuary of Ogden
845 Washington Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
March 3, 2005
1:00 PM
CemeteryMemorial Gardens of the Wasatch
1718 Combe Rd
Ogden, UT 84403
March 3, 2005