November 24, 1945 – May 26, 2024
David Jules Harris passed away on May 26, 2024 after a multi-year decline in his physical and mental health. His family is grateful that his struggle with dementia is done.
David was born in Brussels, Belgium shortly after the end of WWII to Elisabeth Schönkopf and James Harris. At the age of 4 months, David traveled with his mother to America on a boat transporting war brides and their children. His parents then settled in Seattle.
David’s life was devoted to playing and teaching music. His love of classical music started at a very young age when he told his parents to be quiet so he could list to Paganini on the radio.
David was an excellent French horn player, he participated in orchestras throughout his life, as an instrumentalist and a conductor. David led many youth orchestras throughout his career, notably Thalia, Maple Valley and Seattle Youth Orchestras. He was also a member of the Cascade Symphony and the Washington Brass Ensemble and gave many performances around the Pacific Northwest. He also gave private brass lessons and shared his love of music with his students.
David was a beloved music teacher in the Kent School District and taught at elementary, middle and high school levels. He retired from Kentlake High School in 2017, where he had spent the past 20 years of his teaching career. David had a lifelong friendship with Hal Sherman and Bob Owren, his friends and fellow teachers at Kent Meridian High School. They all shared their love of music and teaching and they made a great team of music instructors.
Those who met David experienced his immense charm. He exuded warmth and kindness to all he met. David enjoyed good food, good wine and time spent with musician friends.
David’s family misses him and will remember who David was before dementia took its toll. David was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Doyle and beloved younger brother Ron. David is survived by his children Matthew Harris and Tamara Harris, son-in-law Brian Ford, and grandsons Charles and Alexander Ford, and also by his sister Joslin Harris-Gane and brother-in-law David Gane.
A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, September 22 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm at Discovery Park Environmental Learning & Visitor Center, 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle 98199. Please come and share your memories of David.
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