Alan Gregory Harriss

Alan Gregory Harriss of Arcadia, MO, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Sunday evening July 30, 2023, at the age of 75 years. He was born March 27, 1948, in Du Quoin, IL, to the late Frank and Helen (Wiehn) Harriss. On June 10, 1972, Alan was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sharon Dickey, who survives. Sharon would stand by his side through thick and thin for over 51 years. To this union three daughters were born: Shari Orrick, who preceded him in rest on January 7, 2019; Krista Meinders and husband Mark of Lake Winnebago, MO; and Alisha Cavinder and husband Waylon of Springfield, MO, both of whom survive. Alan was the most loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is also survived by his four granddaughters: Erin Harriss, Jordyn and Ashtyn Meinders, and Claire Cavinder, as well as his faithful four-legged friend, Labrador retriever “Jodi.” He was preceded in rest by his grandson, Joseph Wyatt Pinson, on May 9, 2023. Upon graduation from Belleville Township High School in 1966, Alan pursued an education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville until 1968, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in Political Science in 1970. Alan continued on to achieve a higher level of education attending Chicago-Kent College of Law from 1970-1973, where he obtained a Juris Doctorate degree. Alan worked as Attorney and Counselor at Law in St. Louis, MO, thru 1977. He practiced law in the Arcadia Valley the majority of his adult life from 1977 to 2023, including two years as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, 2 years as the Prosecuting Attorney, and 10 years as Attorney and Counselor at Law. He was elected and served over nine years as Associate Circuit Court Judge for Iron County from 1991 to 2000. Alan was a member of Arcadia Valley Assembly of God for nearly 50 years, holding various positions over the years including board member, deacon, Royal Ranger leader, elder and Sunday School teacher. He was a proud member of Gideons International for over 40 years and shared his love of Christ to anyone who would listen, including handing out Bibles to the nurses & doctors who cared for him until his death. As a young man, he met his beautiful wife on a blind date to a St Louis Cardinals baseball game. His love and devotion to his parents was immediately noticed by Sharon and she knew he was husband material. A man of true integrity, Alan would never budge or sacrifice his values. He had a classy sense of style, was a traditionalist to the core, and was as sentimental as they come. His love for reading books is unmatched, just take a look at his law and personal libraries! As a young adult he fell in love with the mountains and was enamored by the beauty of the landscape of ridges and the wildlife who lived there. He also found great joy in being at the lake. From enjoying the calm early morning waters with a book in his hand or behind the wheel of the boat pulling his kids and grandkids, the lake was his happy place. As a way to connect with his son in laws, he learned to fly fish and enjoyed fishing the canyon rivers of Colorado and the salty waters of Mobile Bay, Alabama. On his most recent family vacation, he enjoyed strolling the shores of Alabama watching his dog Jodi melt into the sand while listening to the calming sounds of the ocean and the giggles of his granddaughters as they splashed in the waves. Of all the things that Alan loved, nothing meant more to him than his love for the Lord and his family. Alan was truly a great man whose impact will be forever felt by his family that loves him dearly. He was an incredibly selfless man whose passing left an unfillable gap in the hearts of his loved ones. His ability to sacrifice, provide, support, forgive, and love will be forever ingrained in all he knew. A visitation with his family will be held on Friday, August 4th, from 5pm to 8pm at Arcadia Valley Assembly of God Church in Arcadia, MO. Celebration of Life services will be held Saturday, August 5th, at 11am at AVAG with dinner immediately following. Interment will take place at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Monday, August 7th, at 1pm in Fairview Heights, IL. Lieu of flower memorials can be made to Arcadia Valley Assembly of God, St. Jude, or Gideon International