In Memory

Ty Harris

Who was Ty Joseph Harris? Ty was born on December 7, 1973 in Tulsa, OK. At an early age, it was apparent to all who knew him that Ty was something special. By the age of 3, Ty was flying by his Dad and Mom on the Colorado ski slopes. Santa brought Ty his first fishing boat at the age of 6, enabling him to take Papa fishing. When Ty was 7, he got his first motorcycle and by the time he was 10, Ty was winning motorcross races, while also flipping burgers at one of his restaurants, TY's Hamburgers. At 17 he won the first of five national championships before being forced to retire at the ripe old age of 19 because of a broken neck. However, that did not slow Ty down. A black diamond skier, Ty took up snowboarding and soon was as proficient on one board as well as two. Ty was never one to stay still, and remained active in a wide variety of outdoor activities including fly fishing and power boat racing. Few people actually live life, but Ty was the exception -- he lived life to the fullest! One of Ty's unique qualities was the ability to make lifelong friends of all ages where ever he went -- whether sunbathing on the beaches in Mexico, snowboarding in Colorado, fly fishing in Montana, boating on Grand Lake or at the finish

line of a motorcycle race. Although Ty had three best best friends: Bullett, his Golden Retriever and his Mom and Dad -- he had countless -- "best" friends who each regarded Ty as their own best friend. Ty's infectious smile and undaunting spirit made everyone who knew him a better person. He never met a stranger! Ty was preceded in death by his grandfather, Joe Harris, Sr. Ty is survived by: his Mom and Dad, Jacci and Joe Harris, Jr.; grandparents, Christine Harris, Billie Hill and Frank and Barbara Zabienski, all of Tulsa; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and a legion of friends across the country. Whenever you think of Ty, remember the sunglasses, the cell phone and the smile that knew no end. Although Ty was taken from us much too soon at the age of 30, his spirit, and the impact he had on those who knew and loved him will last forever.