Shirlee Mae Haire

(July 29, 1938 - April 22, 2021)

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Shirlee Mae Haire (Harris) was called home to her Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 22, 2021, at North Big Horn Hospital in Lovell, at the age of 82. She was surrounded by her loved ones.

Shirlee was born on July 29, 1938, at her home in Duchesne, Utah, to Abe and Ruth Price Harris. Shirlee was the seventh of nine children. Shirlee “Shue-Shue” joined brothers, Clinton “Bud,” Doyle “Duck,” Bill “Willy D,” and Barry “Muggins,” and sisters, Glenda “Droop,” Barbara “Bobby,” Anadee “Goog,” and Kathleen “Katrink.” The family remained in Duchesne where Shirlee attended school. 

Upon her father’s death the family moved to Cody, then to Salt Lake City, Utah, then to Fontana, California, where she completed her education.

Shirlee met the love of her life James “Jimmy” Haire on a family trip to Tennessee. Shirlee and Jimmy married on April 30, 1955, in Bloomfield, Michigan. They had five children, Phil, Jeff, Janet, Jerry and Jack.

Jimmy and Shirlee resided in Fontana until 1987. Then they moved to Hesperia, California, until 1999. Shirlee retired from Randall-Pepper School after 15 years as an instructional and project clerk. 

Shirlee’s hobbies included crocheting, crafts, reading, camping, fishing, four-wheeling, traveling and spending time with her family and grandchildren. After retiring, she and Jimmy moved to their forever home in Cowley, Wyoming. They loved the beauty of God’s country that surrounded them, including beautiful Yellowstone National Park. 

Shirlee held several callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was an immensely proud member of the church and loved her ward and bishop in Cowley.

Shirlee had once mentioned her most memorable trip was with her sister, Anadee, to Australia in 1990. She was quite daring and adventurous. She loved to go for rides with her sons on their side-by-sides at extremely high speeds. At the young age of 80, she ziplined the 45-foot zipline at Sleeping Giant that goes across the North Fork portion of the Shoshone River with her son Phil, and granddaughters, Jennifer and Jamie. She even asked the tour guide, “Could you make me go faster?” She was so full of life all the way to the end. 

She always wanted to be with her family. She enjoyed planning family get-togethers because those were the days that brought her so much joy. She was the best hugger and had the sweetest, most gentle touch. It will be greatly missed by all.

Shirlee was preceded in death by her parents, Abe and Ruth Harris; brothers, Clinton and Bill Harris; sisters, Glenda Harris, Barbara Casey and Kathleen Olinger; her husband of 66 years, James Phillip Haire, their son, Jeffrey Craig Haire; and great-granddaughter, Addison Rae Padilla. Shirlee is survived by her sons, Phil Haire of Devore, California, Jerry (Maria) Haire of Apple Valley, California, and Jack (Cherie) Haire of Powell; daughter, Janet (Haire) Knapp and Tom of Cowley; her sister, Anadee Freestone of Phelan, California; brothers, Doyle Harris of West Valley, Utah, and Barry (Trudy) Ward of Cowley; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cowley, on Friday, April 30, 2021, followed by a dedication of the grave at Cowley Cemetery, led by Bishop Casey Crosby. This date was picked especially for Shirlee’s service because it was her and Jimmy’s 66th wedding anniversary.

Shirlee had started planning a celebration of life for Jimmy before her passing. In honor of her wishes we would like to invite the community to a celebration of life for her, Jimmy and her sister, Kathleen. The celebration will be held on Saturday, June 19, starting at 11 a.m. at the Cowley Park. Please stop by to play some games and share your memories of Jimmy and Shirlee with the family. We, the Haire family, would like to extend a gracious thank you for the love and support shown to us during this difficult time.

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