Gene Harris

Gene Harris, 80, well-known Marshalltown as well as State and Nationally acknowledged auctioneer, died early Sunday morning, September 30th. His death came peacefully at 4:15 a.m. with his family at his side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 3rd, at St. Marys Catholic Church with Fr. Jim Miller officiating. Being an antique lover, it is appropriate that a horse drawn funeral procession will take Gene to his final rest at the Riverside Cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by the VFW Harry C. Harter Post #839. Friends may call at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home from 5-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the Iowa River Hospice in his memory. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home of Marshalltown is caring for Gene and his family. Ph 641-844-1234. Born Eugene L. Harris on July 28th, 1927, at Keswick, Iowa, he was the son of Ernest and Amanda Mary (Hurd) Harris. In 1943, the family moved to Haverhill and in 1945, Gene graduated from the Van Cleve High School. Gene was a born auctioneer- obtaining the love of them from going to farm auctions with his dad. He would sell items to phone poles while out in the field and call auctions from the basement at home. He attended auctioneers school in Mason City in 1950. He served our country proudly in the United States Army during the Korean War and was stationed as an MP and game warden in Anchorage, Alaska. Gene was the only auctioneer in the world to have an auction facility on a military base. He was a member and three 3-year term Board of Director of the Iowa Auctioneers Association and inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1999. Mr. Harris owned and operated the Gene Harris Auctions for 52 years, was a member of St. Marys parish, the National and Iowa Auctioneers Association, National and Iowa Chapter Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, the American Legion, and the Voiture 40 & 8. This coming weekend would be the 80th semi-annual Gene Harris Clock Auction, one of his claims to fame in the industry. Left to mourn his loss are his loving wife of 52 years, Donna (Lavender) whom he married on June 18th, 1955, at St. Marys in Marshalltown, his four children: Julie (Terry) Stern, Jeffrey Harris, Terry Harris and Tom Harris all of Marshalltown, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. In death he has rejoined his parents, brothers Joe and Richard.