Obituary

Neil A. Harris

February 12, 1962 - May 23, 2024

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Neil Anthony Harris, 62, of Lincoln passed away May 23, 2024. Born February 12, 1962, in Kansas City, KS.

Owner/Operator of Harris Security and Protective Services serving clients in the Metro Phoenix area as well as Lincoln and Omaha.  Attended the University of Nebraska and played football for the Huskers from 1980-85.  He continued his love of sports throughout his life and found his calling by coaching and mentoring youth.  He will be missed by so many whose lives he has touched.

Family members include his wife, Jan; brothers Larry (Devonne) Harris and Robert (Brenda) Chambers; sisters Doretha Smith and Janice Harris; Lincoln Parents Jim & Julie Pittenger, Lincoln brother and sister Trey (Shari) Pittenger and Melissa Pittenger; brothers-in-law Ray (Debbie) Gadeken and Don (Jo) Gadeken; numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends. Preceded in death by his parents and his sister Katherine Harris.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, May 31, 2024, at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive. Livestream will be available ten minutes prior to service time at roperandsons.com/livestream.

Visitation with family present from 5-7 pm on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel.

Memorials to donors’ favorite youth development fund or charity.

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Services

May30

Visitation

5:00 pm-7:00 pm CST

Roper & Sons South Chapel

3950 Hohensee Drive (40th & Yankee Hill)
Lincoln, NE 68516

(402) 261-5907
May31

Funeral Service

10:30 am CST

Roper & Sons South Chapel

3950 Hohensee Drive (40th & Yankee Hill)
Lincoln, NE 68516

(402) 261-5907
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Share a Memory or Condolence

February 1, 2025

Good day everyone. My name is Jamore Harris and I am one of Neil’s nephews. I lost contact upon moving to Denver when my car and phone was stolen and was locked out of my email account. I have tried online numbers and contacts but got nowhere. This happened in 2020. I did not know my uncle passed until I did a recent internet search of his name. I remember the few visits in the 90’s and after that he was a busy man. I wish I had more time with him. I did not expect him to pass at 62. God rest his soul. If anyone in the family is scrolling PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE call me.

– Jamore Harris
October 26, 2024

Just hearing of NEIL’S passing. Was a senior at J.C.HARMON H.S.. When Neil started at quarterback his junior year. He was a great player and teammate. We won the KCK LEAGUE, and went to the class 6A state playoffs. Condolences to all family and friends.

– Vincent J. Myers
June 24, 2024

Neil Harris was my business mentor, peer, but mostly he was my friend! Always willing to share wisdom and knowledge with me as well as provide genuine brotherly love. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know such a great man. Enjoy your rest my brother, always love!

– Derrick Dancy
May 31, 2024

I vividly recall arriving in Lincoln, NE, in 1979 after moving from Washington, DC. It was there that I met Neil shortly after my arrival. My memories of Neil are of a quiet gentleman grounded in his spiritual beliefs. What I admired most about Neil was his grounded nature and the respect he commanded from his peers. Growing up in Lincoln, NE, was challenging for a young African American male from the inner city, but Neil seemed well-adjusted to the environment, and his faith guided him through difficult times. I greatly admire and respect him because he consistently demonstrated high moral values, which were rare during those times. It’s worth noting that Neil had a robust support system in his Lincoln family, who played a significant role in shaping him into the man he is today. Although I never had the opportunity to meet Neil’s wife, based on my knowledge of Neil and the type of person he is, I am confident that she is his rock. Behind every successful man stands a strong woman. I am grateful to have had the chance to meet Neil. God had other plans for him, so he answered god’s call. He will be deeply missed.

– James Davis III (DC)
May 31, 2024

Upon hearing of your passing, I first was in denial, thinking this could not possibly be so. Then came anger and immense sadness. I’ve settled now on trying to just be thankful for the memories. Memories of Sunday School with you at 3rd St Church of God where the class always talked sports and recapped the District 500 games of the week before moving on to the lesson. Memories of NE Jr High School and our Mighty Dragons and of later hearing from you in college and proudly reading about your exploits at Nebraska. Memories of reconnecting years later after your move to Scottsdale and of shooting the breeze reminiscing about the old days, talking about our older brothers, Larry and Eric, whom we each admired so but also playfully pontificating about their class having been the favorite. Memories of discussing family and the ways in which we each tried to support our nieces and nephews. Memories of often seeing your bible in your car and knowing it was a quiet reflection of your faith. I loved hearing about your business activities and was inspired by your engagement in support of youth in Lincoln and Kansas City. I appreciated your encouragement during my own career transitions and I was proud and comforted to ultimately be one of your clients. Thank you, Neil, for the memories. Larry, Janice and to your wife Jan and others of your extended family, may God provide you comfort in the way that only he can.

– Gina Pitts
May 30, 2024

I am so sorry to hear of Neil’s passing. He was a great athlete and great person!!

– Lennie Ambler
May 30, 2024

My memory is as a fan. I wish I had met Mr. Harris. I witnessed his love for the game and for his teammates. I was with a work friend who was a Sooner fan at the Nov. 26, 1983 NU/OU game in Norman, who very kindly and generously invited me to his home, like I was his brother. I am forever fans of Sooner fans. Our seats were in the end zone seating, overlooking the end zone where Mr. Harris made two key plays to thwart the Sooners tying the game with seconds to go. I wish Mr. Harris’ extended family members peace and comfort in this tough time of having to say goodbye. His blood family and also his teammate family. God bless this man. May the Angels come to greet him and carry him into the arms of Christ.

– John O’Reilly
May 28, 2024

Neil and I were friends for over 55 years. We were competitors (Grade school), teammates (Middle school, 1 year high school) and competitors again. We lost contact after high school but reconnected, it was like we never lost contact. I saw him about 6 months ago and we had dinner with and old friend we haven’t seen in awhile. I’m grateful for that time and wish we had many more but my friend worked a lot which I understood. I’m going to leave this quote. “I think it’s safe to say that we brought some joy to one another’s lives, so one day, when I go to some final resting place, if I happen to wake up next to a certain wall with a gate, I hope that Neil will be there to vouch for me and show me the ropes on the other side.” Pastor’s always says “our lives are streams flowing into the same river towards whatever heaven lies in the mist beyond the falls” I leave this for everyone, PLEASE, Find the joy in your life as my friend did. I’m still working on it but hopefully I’ll find it soon. My friend (Conerback Neil) will be missed. Kermit (KC) Kitchen Northeast Dragon 🐉 and Sumner Spartan

– KC Kitchen
May 27, 2024

I’m going to miss our conversations. I’m going to miss us planning to start up different businesses and me not doing it and running looking for workers to work at the company you actually opened! lol, I was a talker and you put it in action. I will miss your voice and all your knowledge about so much, and you never mind sharing it with me. Whatever your beliefs are, you have to know there’s a special place for Neil to get the rest he deserves. What an impact you brought to my life. I love you so much cousin! I’ll see you again.

– Delresa Noland

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  • Monday, December 15 at 11:00 AM
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Kaitlin Elizabeth Crouch

  • Wednesday, December 17 at 11:00 AM
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  • Funeral Service

Ronald Kent Owen

  • Wednesday, December 17 at 1:00 PM
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Rebecca “Becky” Rippe

  • Friday, December 19 at 11:00 AM
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6/11
  • Memorial Services

Coleen J. Seng

  • Saturday, December 20 at 11:00 AM
  • First United Methodist Church
7/11
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David Paul Burden

  • Saturday, December 20 at 1:00 PM
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Verla Ann Liggett (Beltz) Schenk

  • Monday, December 22 at 10:30 AM
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  • Celebration of Life

George L. Lamphear

  • Saturday, January 03 at 2:00 PM
  • Isles Reception Hall
10/11
  • Celebration of Life

Franklin Ellsworth Gaines

  • Saturday, January 10 at 12:00 PM
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