ARDEN NEIL HARRIS

Arden Neil Harris departed this earth on April 17, 2024 at Baylor All Saints hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, with his mother at his side. Born with spina bifida on August 25, 1982, Neil fought Stage 4 pancreatic cancer with the same fierce determination that he exhibited throughout a lifetime of surgeries and medical issues. He was 41 years of age at the time of his death.

Neil was the second of three boys born to Gregg and Kay Harris. His brothers treated him as an equal, showing no mercy due to his disability. Through this gift of brotherly love, Neil learned the self-reliance, independence, and confidence that he would need in the world. So many friends tell stories about Neil when he was a young little “spiderman”, scampering around on crutches and leg braces, getting into mischief and challenging his brothers Nathan and Brendon. They responded in kind. But if an outsider picked on Neil, his brothers went into fierce protective mode. Even a rude stare in Neil’s direction was not tolerated.

As Neil endured countless operations and extended stays in the hospital, he learned to be a radical self-advocate. Early on, he would establish boundaries for the hospital staff to minimize interruptions, asking them (always politely) to coordinate with each other on checking vital signs, to keep the lights out, and to post “do not disturb” signs on the door so that he could sleep. (His efforts to enforce rules at home were not always so successful.) Throughout all of his health challenges, he maintained a rather dry sense of humor that both amused and amazed us. Those who spent time with him in the hospital were impressed by his incredible strength, resilience, composure, and kindness, even while enduring intense pain. He truly was the personification of “Grace under Pressure”.

When health permitted, Neil was a joyful, robust adventurer. With his father Gregg as his advocate, Neil played tennis, rode his hand-bike, and learned to ski on a mono-ski. Neil was quite a talented skiier and raced with the disabled ski team in Winter Park, Colorado. Gregg was a “dorm dad” and traveled to ski competitions with Neil.

More recently, as Neil’s mobility decreased, he found his thrills off-roading in his Jeep with his Facebook friends. In the weeks prior to his death, he was planning a road trip to visit the western United States. Workwise, Neil spent approximately the last 5 years working in various capacities at Lowe’s. He truly enjoyed his job and coworkers.

The family wishes to thank the countless friends, coworkers, spiritual counselors, and healthcare providers who supported Neil throughout his life, especially in his final days.

Neil is survived by his mother Kay, father Gregg, brother Nathan and his family Julia and Allison, brother Brendon and his family Sasha and Vivi, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Celebration of His Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 25, in the Leonard Chapel at First United Methodist Church in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. For those wishing to make a donation in Neil’s memory, please consider Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, Texas.