The funeral service for Frederick A. Harris Jr., of rural Albert Lea, will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at the United Methodist Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Lynn Borgeson will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea veterans organizations. Interment will be at a later date at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.

Fred died peacefully at his home on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006. He was 61.

He was born on Sept. 1, 1944, in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Frederick Harris Sr. and Iva (Lenz) Harris. As a young man his family moved to Albert Lea, where he graduated from high school.

Fred served our country in the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1965, where he was last assigned in Hawaii. He lived in Hawaii for a few years after his

honorable discharge and was a law enforcement officer there.

In the early &8216;70s,

Fred returned to Albert Lea where he worked on the police department, at Southtown Liquors and then for 20 years was owner and operator of Red Carpet Car Wash. He sold and retired in October of 2003 because of his failing health.

Fred was united in marriage to Meri G. (Shoars) Everhart on May 6, 1989, in Austin.

Fred, a cowboy at heart, had a passion for working with kids and horses. He loved to teach others how to ride. He was a member of the Cowboy Mounted Shooters Association, Minnesota Mounted Shooters, Northern Plains Riders, AQHA, MQHA, U.S. Team Roping Association, and the local Sunset Saddle Club. He had served as regional director of the Western Heritage for Minnesota State 4-H Horse Project and was a field judge for the 2005 4-H State Fair Western Heritage events. He was also a member of the Elks, Eagles and Lions Clubs.

Fred is survived by his wife Meri; son John C. Harris and his wife Christina and their son Kevin of Bay City, Texas; daughter Christine of Washington state; stepchildren: William Everhart and his son Caige of Buffalo, Wyo., and James D. Everhart and his wife Jennifer and their children Jerred and Hailee of Belleville, Ill.; sister Terry L. Matthes of Albert Lea and her children Michele (Matthes) Shaunce and husband Steve and their son Taylor of Glenville, and Cassie (Matthes) Grobe and her husband Matthew of Austin; mother-in-law: Helen Shoars of Osage, Iowa; uncle Lawrence Harris and his wife Betty and their family; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and their families; and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

&8220;I happily lived my life as a cowboy, the life God chose for me. Happy trails to you all …&8221;