Walter Harris

Walter Harris

July 08, 1952 - May 06, 2013

Obituary

Walt Harris was born on July 8, 1952, an only child to parents, Russell and Mildred Harris, in Bakersfield, CA. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduating from Cleveland High School in 1970. In 1976, Walt was the first to graduate with a Masters in Advertising Design at California State University Northridge after having won numerous national and international art awards for the University.

While working on his Masters Degree he worked at ABC Television, in Hollywood, as an art director, working on popular shows such as Happy Days, Welcome Back Kotter, Room 222, Laverine and Shirley, Mork and Mindy and more. With Masters in hand he relocated to Hawaii and then New York working for J. Walter Thompson on the Pan Am and Ford Motor Company accounts.

In 1979 on his way to Harrah’s Hotels in Reno, by way of California, he met Randeleigh at a local Bible Study. After a long distance romance they were married in March of 1980. They began their married life in San Diego where one of his clients was the Padres, highlighted by attending the 1984 World Series. After seven years in San Diego Walt was hired by Saatchi & Saatchi, LA, relocating to Laguna Niguel where the family still resides. Saatchi offered Walt multiple opportunities to shine, producing numerous award wining commercials for Toyota as the primary client.

During their residence in San Diego Walt and Randeleigh began planning for a family, learning they needed medical intervention. After twelve years, multiple surgeries, and four IVF series, they were blessed with three precious little ones, Ashleigh, Brandon, and Collin in 1992. Walt’s love for his family was known by all who knew him, evident by the numerous family photos of his wife and triplets scattered all over his office, on his phones, and in his wallet. But even more precious to him than his family was his personal relationship with Yeshua (Jesus), his Lord and Savior since his college days. Seeking Divine guidance all his adult life and living out the Biblical principles of integrity and honor in his personal and professional life, he endeared himself to all who met him, exhibiting a fragrance of the Holy Spirit through a kind, gentle, and generous heart. All who knew him, loved and respected him.

After 14 years of commuting between Laguna Niguel and Torrance, a V.P. Creative Director position opened up for him at Y & R Companies Irvine. From 2000 to 2009 he enjoyed working on Lincoln Mercury and Jaguar spots. Traveling extensively for shoots, working in studio, meeting people from all walks of life, Walt was blessed with a career that was his passion. He would often tell Randeleigh he loved what he did so much he would have done it for free.

In 2007 Walt was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis causing him to seek medical help. The result was a once a week prescription (Methotrexate) which over two years created pervasive white matter in his brain, slowly interfering with his synapsis. By 2010 the neurological degeneration resulted in permanent disability eventually requiring full time, skilled nursing care for the last three years of his life. Over the last year, multiple complications ensued due to poor care which eventually resulted in chronic infections and his untimely death. Despite the struggles, he endured all with a sweet and gentle spirit knowing his future was in the Lord’s hands.

On May 6th Walt finally received his long awaited invitation from the Lord to begin his life in eternity and reunite with his loved ones who had gone before him. Free from his physical prison of silence and immobility, his family grieves the passing of a beloved husband, father, and friend but rejoice with him knowing he has ended his earthly suffering and graduated to glory with the Lord for all eternity where they will one day join him.

For those curious to see some of his work visit www.youtube.com and search for “Walt Harris Reel 2009,” and turn up your speakers! Or click on this link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH-4szcSOyc

To view the Memorial Video from Walt’s service, please click on this link:
www.4shared.com/folder/s2VVT8O_/Walt_Harris

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Messianic Jewish Alliance of America. They have several ministries directed to the Jewish people in Israel as well in Ethiopia. Please look at the website and consider which ministry you may choose to support with a donation in Walter’s name.
http://www.mjaa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=n_roi_Ethiopia_ProjectPage
http://www.mjaa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage

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25 responses to Walter Harris

  1. Randeleigh says:

    My thoughts go back back to Walt’s humor and attitude that made it a pleasure to work with him at Saatchi and now, out to his family for their loss too soon. A sad day, but Walt left many good memories.
    Dean Van Eimeren

  2. Randeleigh says:

    I got the news from Randeleigh last night in an email and went right down to my computer and found the first spot Walt and I ever did together. The Previa launch. It must have been 1990 or 91. Stan had just come out from NY. I didn’t even know Walt but Stan had demoted me and I needed a partner and I think Walt did too and there was this Previa open assignment floating around and he stayed up with me in the A/V room all night and we put together the ‘UFO spot’ we called it. Stan came in the next day to fire us but then saw the spot and told Rich to recommend it and the next thing you know Walt and I were a team.
    We did MR2 and then Tercel, Corolla, Celica. More Previa and more Tercel and on and on. It only lasted about a year and a half but it seemed like it was an entire lifetime. The early morning hours and the late night sessions and the many, many shoots with Klaus Lucka and Stan Schofiled and other great guys. We had the best time and the most fun. And by the end we were lifelong friends. I remember when Randeleigh got pregnant with triplets. I remember the great stories and more than anything I remember the endless hours we spent laughing. We laughed SO much. We both shared a dream to do something great and we were driven with such a burning desire and passion to express ourselves. I think in the end we did some good work. But that really wasn’t what it was about. None of that work matters now. Maybe it never did. It was about sharing and committing and trusting your partner and looking out for each other and working hard and trying to work positively and becoming dads and raising kids and trying our best to be professionals while having the time of our lives.
    I will miss Walt. I was shocked by how he lived his final years. He did not deserve that. No one deserved what he had to go through. To be away from his wife and his kids whom he loved SO much. I went to visit him once in the hospital and it just did not seem real. I would have done anything for him. And there was nothing I could do. He jumped to life when he saw Randeleigh, I don’t know if he recognized or remembered me. I liked to think he did but I don’t know. I sat there and told him stories for a couple of hours and thought I saw him smile once or twice. I don’t know. But I do know I loved him and even if he didn’t remember me I will always remember him. I always will. I hope you guys all say a prayer for him tonight. He did his best. He loved advertising and he loved great work. I would ask that when you think of him today or when you read this that you remember something sweet about him and send those thoughts up to heaven to welcome him and comfort him. He had a lot of sweetness in him. He was a true friend and a great partner and when it is all said and done, that counts for something. Actually I really believe it counts for everything. I pray that God blesses his soul. I hope all of you are well. Life is so short and sometimes it is so sad. This is one of those times for me. I love you Walt.
    Terry Balagia

  3. Randeleigh says:

    Thank you Randeleigh for letting me know. My heart goes out to you in this painful time. I did forward on to many old co-workers who loved Walt the news. Please do let me know when services are arranged and I’ll do the same again. I will never forget Walt, his friendship and especially this . . . One day outside the office, as we talked about faith & life and joy & pain, he told me he couldn’t wait to get out of his body and get to where he was meant to be.
    I too, am looking forward to seeing him there.
    Kirt Gentry

  4. Randeleigh says:

    Walt was definitely one of the good guys! Very talented, and always had a smile and a laugh. Walt was one of the bright spots at Saatchi Pacific. Condolences and peace to your family, Walt
    Jay Montgomery

  5. Randeleigh says:

    I was so shocked to hear of Walt’s passing but even more shocked by the circumstances. Nobody should spend their last years in that way. He was such a wonderful, open, enthusiastic, talented guy. Terry said everything about him better than any account person could. The world lost something special with his passing. My thoughts are with his family and friends
    Ian Beavis

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