Robert Stephen Ray Harris

Robert Stephen Ray Harris, age 36, passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Robert was born on September 20, 1988, in Fayetteville, the son of Don and Debra Harris. Robert is survived by his parents, sister Brittany Adcock and husband Aaron Adcock, sister Melissa Doty and husband Blake Doty, nephew’s Owen, Jackson, Harrison, nieces Ava, Beaux and large number of cousins, uncles and aunts across the Harris and Ray families. Robert worked as an administrative assistant at Lifestyles where he cared deeply for both clients and the team he worked with. Robert’s story is miraculous, inspiring and remarkable. There is Robert, the person of family, faith, friends, writing, entertainment, food, socializing, travel and more. Then there is Robert the survivor, overcoming mind boggling odds to live a life of 36 years. Robert the person loved his church and those who lifted him up for decades. His love of family is legendary. Nobody matched his ability to know everyone’s birthday, anniversary or occasion to celebrate better than Robert. He loved attending family events and taking selfies with others, especially his niece, nephews and friends. He loved theater, movies, music and arts/entertainment. His recall for Academy Award winners in all categories was stunning. He never lost a movie trivia night. He loved to travel with friends and family and the memories made on trips to places and beaches far and wide will live with us forever. He had a knack for writing and poetry. Anyone who followed his thoughtful postings either shared personally or on Facebook noted the thought, consideration and grace in his writing. This meant so much to him. Robert did enjoy his meals! But mostly when shared with a friend our at a local eatery with someone he cared about. Robert the fighter is inspirational. Born in 1988 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (left side of the heart failing to develop) he was given nearly zero chance to survive for two weeks. He was taken to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Transplants were not being done at the time, so Doctors decided to try a Norwood Procedure that could potentially rework the heart’s function. It was an option, but a long shot. Robert miraculously survives this procedure the day after birth, becoming the first child to do so at ACH. Future years required further procedures to keep him alive. At age 5 in 1993 Robert’s heart was struggling and by then ACH Little Rock had a Heart Transplant Program. Robert was placed on the transplant list. His new heart came on Oct 26, 1993. Robert’s body received this gift of life and for the next 31 years this same heart allowed him to blossom into the loving son, sibling, relative and friend he became. It also led to his love for superheroes, especially Batman, due to his perseverance to overcome. Heart transplants on average last 15 years or less. Recently Robert’s heart was showing signs of rejection, and he was in the process of being re-listed for a second transplant at the time of his passing. The Lord took him home, so a new heart was not meant to be for Robert. As deeply as we miss him, we know he is now joined with his beloved Grandad, Claude Harris, whose special bond was beautiful. Please say yes to being an organ donor. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 12 from 5-7pm at Sisco Chapel in Springdale. Funeral services will be at First United Methodist Church in Springdale on Thursday, March 13 at 11am. Graveside Service will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville at 2pm on Thursday, March 13. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock or Northwest Arkansas, or to Lifestyles in Fayetteville in memory of Robert Harris. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com

Robert Stephen Ray Harris

September 20, 1988 - March 5, 2025