Dale Harris, formerly of Crab Orchard
Dale R Harris, age 84, of Denver, Colorado passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Rose Hospital with family by his side.
Dale was born on May 11, 1937 in Crab Orchard, IL to Ray B. and Aurelia (Davis) Harris.
Dale attended the Marion public schools and graduated from Marion High School in 1955. While at MHS he participated in basketball, football, baseball and track, and was a Rotary Club Diamond Key winner.
Dale attended the University of Colorado in Boulder and graduated in 1959. Dale excelled academically and was honored to be the Cane Bearer for his class at their graduation ceremonies. Dale's desire to enter the legal profession took him to Harvard Law School in Massachusetts.
On June 26, 1960, Dale and the love of his life, Toni K. Shapkoff of West Frankfort, IL, were united in marriage.
Following his graduation from Harvard, Dale and Toni moved to Denver where Dale became employed by the law firm of Davis, Graham and Stubbs. Dale served as partner, and for several years as managing partner, in the firm until his retirement in 2007. He was an outstanding lawyer with a national reputation in antitrust and trial practice.
Following retirement, he served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, a role he continued until his passing. His colleagues fondly remember his work ethic and leadership, as well as his continued dedication to passing his wealth of knowledge of the law and his professionalism on to the next generation. People naturally looked to him because of his remarkable abilities and his readily apparent compassion, kindness, and integrity.
Dale was a past president of the Denver Bar Association and past president of the Colorado Bar Association, receiving the Award of Merit from both organizations. He received numerous other awards from his peers locally and nationally throughout his career.
Dale also gave back to his community. He served as a board member and board chairman for the Colorado chapter of the American Arthritis Foundation, the Mile High United Way, and the QuaLife Wellness Community. He was a huge fan of the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies.
Above all, Dale loved his family and they were always first and foremost in his life. He loved his southern Illinois roots and never forgot his wonderful friends from his youth.
Dale is survived by his wife of 61 years, Toni K. (Shapkoff) Harris and his loving family. His family will always remember him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray B. and Aurelia Harris; his sister and brother in law, Romelle and Dr. John Kaeser; his nephew, Steven D. Kaeser; his mother and father in law, Tony and Julie Shapkoff; aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Denver at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation (arthritis.org/donate), the Anshutz Cancer Center General Research Fund (giving.cu.edu/fund/cancer-center-general-research-fund), and Mile High United Way (https://unitedwaydenver.org/gi ...).
Horan and McConaty Funeral Home in Denver is handling the arrangements.