Jim Harris passed away on December 19, 2025 at age 57. Jim spent most of his childhood in Orland Park, Illinois. He loved the outdoors from an early age, including his beloved Little Red Schoolhouse in the forest, visits to his grandparents’ farms and nearby creeks, and family vacations to so many national and state parks around the country. Jim found his calling after high school, double majoring in anthropology and history at Grinnell College. After graduation he moved to Arizona to work as an archaeologist. Collecting Native American pottery remained a lifelong passion. Jim went to law school at Arizona State University after deciding that digging in the dirt and living in a tent wasn’t his life-long goal. He immediately joined the Navajo-Hopi Legal Services in Tuba City, AZ. After several years, he moved to Tempe, AZ and worked as a criminal defense attorney for the Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender for 29 years. He was a devoted public servant his entire career. Spending time outdoors was one of Jim's greatest joys. He hiked throughout Arizona with his dogs and friends. Jim also loved spending time with his family, fishing, going to thrift and antique shops, collecting just about anything, traveling, and watching 'the game' with friends. Jim was always tinkering with something, be it the pipes under the kitchen sink, making jewelry, or throwing together an entire smorgasbord of food for a party, especially his well-known fry bread. Jim loved helping people and was generous with his time, skills, and kindness, making him loved by so many people. Jim is survived by his wife (Meg Amster), son (Tim Amster), parents (Paul and Rosemary Harris), sisters (Ginger Harris and Kathy Warner), and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Services: 1 PM Saturday, January 10th at 2540 W Baseline Rd, Mesa, Arizona 85202. Celebration of Life reception immediately following at 1705 E. Elmwood St., Mesa, Arizona 85203. Guests are invited to wear Hawaiian shirts. ** There will be another service near Chicago at the end of January. Details to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation or the Nature Conservancy of Arizona.