Harlan Ward Harris

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Harlan Ward Harris, beloved patriarch of our family, who died at 88 years-of-age of natural causes on March 6, 2025.

In honor of his memory, a Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Los Alamos, NM, (located at 2200 Diamond Drive), followed by an 11:30 a.m. graveside service at Guaje Pines Cemetery, located in Los Alamos, NM.

Ward was born on February 16, 1937, in Carrizozo, New Mexico, to his adoring parents, Harlan and Jessie Harris, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Fay Harris, his three children, Michal Walters, Dan Harris, and Diane Ecklund, as well as his 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Ward graduated from Highland High School in Albuquerque in 1955. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico in 1959 and a Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1969.

Ward’s professional career began at the Nevada Test Site where, from 1959 to 1969, he devoted his efforts to furthering our nation’s nuclear defense technology. For the remainer of his career, until his retirement in 1996, Ward worked to advance controlled fusion research programs at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of Texas at Austin, and for the Department of Energy in Maryland.

Growing up in New Mexico, Ward became captivated by the beauty and diversity of The Land of Enchantment. As a young man, while attending Heights Baptist Church in Albuquerque, Ward met another beauty, Carol. It was love at first sight. Carol shared Ward’s enthusiasm for New Mexico, so, during their 67-years of marriage, they spent many wonderful days hiking, camping, and exploring God’s magnificent creation.

Because Ward devoted his life to studying God’s Word and to obeying the call of the Lord Jesus Christ, his family asks, in lieu of flowers, that you consider donating to Mission Dignity, a non-profit dedicated to helping support more than 28,000 retired ministers our spouses with extra money needed for housing, food and medications. Please visit https://www.guidestone.org/mission-dignity to make a donation.

The family of Harlan Ward Harris has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley. www.devargasfuneral.com 505-747-7477.