Derryl Frank Harris

Derryl Harris

December 30, 1947 - March 21,  2024

Derryl was born in Renton Washington and grew up on Kent’s East Hill where he lived his entire childhood. 

He was a talented musician who grew up with a musical mom who encouraged music and would always make him practice. He and his twin sister Sherryl won a talent show in 5th grade, Derryl playing clarinet and Sherryl the accordion. Before that at a very young age, Derryl began playing drums. That was his passion and was his professional instrument of choice. He went on to play in many bands from Jr High on. One of his bands opened for Ray Charles and at one point in his early 20’s Derryl traveled to California and met Brian Wilson of the Beachboys where he sat in and played bongos on a demo of Sail On Sailor. Derryl always loved harmonies and studied theirs constantly. He owned every one of their albums and also any of the respective band members solo albums. He could sing every harmony part. 

He also went to radio broadcast school and became a DJ. His first radio job was an internship at KOZI radio in Lake Chelan where he lived briefly. This became a fond memory and a favorite place for him to visit. 

After Chelan, Derryl had a recording studio in Kent Washington, DB Recording, where he recorded and produced music for other musicians. He continued to play drums professionally until 1995.

In 2000 Derryl started an Internet radio station, WRPS Web Radio Puget Sound,  where he and his wife Barb would produce and showcase independent artists from all over the states and some from other countries. It ran for 14 years. 

Prior to that he had built a recording studio in their home where they wrote and recorded several songs. Derryl produced them all and harmonies were an integral part. 

In 2005 he began playing drums again for the worship team at Immanuel Celebration where his son Jeff pastored. He was an amazing drummer!

Derryl was also an amazing upholsterer owning Faith Upholstery for many years. He learned the trade from his boys’ great grandfather, GP.

Derryl was the best grandpa and uncle. He loved the little ones and always tried to provide great things for them to do when visiting like fishing out at the lake and slip and slides down the hill, and of course, he loved to tease them. 

Derryl is survived by his wife Barb of almost 29 years, his sons Josh and wife Dawn, Ben and his wife Jeni, Jeff and his wife Stephanie and two stepchildren, Ashley and Justin and Ashley’s husband Dan. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren….

Kayden, John, Carter, Kaeli, Madelyn, Beckham, Courtney, Brooklyn, Jake and Lilah in respective order. 

Derryl is also survived by his brother Bob Harris and wife Jerri and twin sister Sherryl and husband Bob. 

Derryl was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Pearl Harris and youngest sister, Eileen Miller. 

Derryl leaves behind many other family members and good friend, Doug Bristow. 

We will be having a Memorial Service for Derryl at Lighthouse Christian Center on Saturday, April 20th, 2024, at 2:00pm for those who would like to attend. 

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