Michael Warren Harris

Michael Warren Harris

4/13/52 – 3/6/26

It is with sadness and love that we share the passing of Michael Harris of complications due to cancer. His spirit will live on in the lessons he taught us and the love that he shared. As a mentor and guide, he could fix anything, and was a constant source of support and reassurance to anyone who needed someone to listen. His stories, fried chicken, pancakes, drumming, and singing will be missed, but they will be carried in our hearts forever.

Michael was born in Downey, CA to Mark and Doris Harris and moved to Chico with his family in the early 1960s, where he attended Chico schools and graduated Class of ‘70 from Chico High. He had fond childhood memories of Bidwell Park and playing in school bands.

In 1977, he married Kathy Skow. They were blessed to have celebrated almost 50 years together at the time of his passing. They moved to Durham, CA in 1980, where they built a home and had two daughters. Michael was very active in the Durham community, helping with 4-H projects and serving as an announcer at swim meets. He was known as a friendly and helpful Produce Manager over his 34-year career at Safeway.

Michael led a happy life filled with family, friends, and music. His sense of humor was always at the ready, along with a good story. He played in more than 15 local bands and toured with a few of them, and his knowledge of music history and the Chico music scene was always evident. In later years, he discovered a love of Barbershop singing and joined the Sounds of the Foothills Chorus and several quartets.

Michael was a loving husband and father, a proud “Poppie,” and a devoted brother, uncle, and friend—not to mention an avid Giants baseball fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, and followed soon after in death by his brother Dan. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; their daughters, Kristen (Kevin) and Melisse (Mike); and his three precious grandchildren (Stella, Amos, and Libby).

A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Chico on Saturday, June 13th, from 10 am to noon.