Harold Harris, 94, Drake, passed away Sunday, September 8, 2013 at the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva. His funeral will be held Friday, September 13, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Drake. Burial will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Sunset memorial Gardens in Minot. Visitation will be held Thursday from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Bethke-Nelson Funeral Home in Drake.

Harold Harris, son of Harry F. and Gertrude (Beutler) Harris, was born July 30, 1919 on the family farm southwest of Drake. He was raised in the Drake area and received his education in the Drake Public School, the Lydal country school south of Drake and later the Guthrie School north of Drake. Following high school, Harold attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton where he studied auto and welding mechanics. He worked for several years as a machinist and welder in mechanic shops in Montivideo, MN, Wapheton and Drake.

On March 20, 1950 he was married to Mary Harris at Drake. They made their home on the Harris farm southwest of Drake where he farmed and ranched until his retirement. Following Mary's death in 1998, Harold moved into Drake. He had been a resident of the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva since February of 2010.

Harold was a member of the Drake Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school for many years. He enjoyed music and was able to play the accordion, the concertina and the harmonica.

He is survived by his daughter, Shirley Sommer of Drake; one grandson, Tony (Sarah) Sommer of Drake; and 2 great-grandsons, Trevor and Carter Sommer.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his son, Robert; his parents; and two sisters, Harriet Kaul and Dorothy Miller.