KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Golden Valley High School and our Santa Clarita Valley community are experiencing tremendous loss. Eric Harris, 10th grade Social Studies and History teacher and Grizzlies varsity football assistant coach, passed away due to a rare form of toxic shock syndrome that forced his organs to fail. He was 38 years old.
Eric Harris, an All-City football player, graduated from Chatsworth High School in 1999, moving on to teaching and coaching after his playing days. He was the head coach at St. Genevieve (Panorama City) during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, turning the program around with an 18-5 record, before making the decision to step down to spend more time with his family. Eric has three children, Michael (9), Grace (7) and Claire (1).
Eric and his wife, Kari, who is a 1st grade teacher in Santa Clarita, have served our community for many years. Eric was awarded Teacher of the Year for his contributions and valuable work at Golden Valley High School.
He has been a trusted assistant of Grizzlies’ head coach Dan Kelley for the past several seasons, helping the GVHS football program go from dormant to a team with winning seasons in five out of the last six years.
“Eric Harris is, and always will be, one of the greatest people to walk the face of this earth,” said Coach Kelley. “Eric was amazing in every aspect of life. Everything he did was done at the highest level, especially being a husband, a father, a teacher, a coach, and a friend. If we could all approach life the way Eric did, the world would be a better place. We have learned so much from Eric in such a short period of time. The memories will live forever in our hearts and our minds. We all Love you Eric Harris!”
Eric had been ill since February 29th, and a GoFundMe page is available to continue support for him and his family at de.gofundme.com/f/let039s-all-help-eric.
My daughter Chloe talked about Mr. Harris every day–“He is the BEST history teacher. Mom you don’t understand. The BEST.” My father was a football coach with three children, so I’m certain the coaches and players are in in a special kind of pain–my daughter knew him as a teacher–the best. I’m certain he brought that excellence and passion everywhere: a coach, a teacher, a father, husband–a rare man who touched all he encountered. Our hearts break for his family’s loss. We collectively mourn our own loss–Mr. Harris–the BEST.
Coach Harris was a big part of my family’s life! He got my son into Briar Cliff University in Iowa when he was coaching at St. Genevieve High School in Panorama City. He made sure my son had football film to send to other schools so that he could get in while applying to Colleges. My son transferred to St. Gens from Notre Dame HS in his senior year. Coach Harris also helped my son challenge the CIF’s decision to let my son play in his senior year when he transferred to St. Gens after being denied to play.
My daughter would come home everyday and tell me what a wonderful teacher he was. She would always tell me little stories about what happened in class each day.
I never met him but from what my kids told me, he seemed to be a very down to Earth person. He will be remembered and greatly missed.
RIP Coach Harris and my condolences to his beautiful family.
My god bless his soul with peace and give comfort to his wife and family. With our sincere sympathy and condolences.
The Andari family
Rest in peace Mr. Harris.
I can’t stop crying for his wife Mrs. Harris.
She was my daughter Claire’s 5th grade teacher.
She was amazing and taught history very fun.
Claire has begun enjoyed history since then.
Please God bless this family!!!!
Please protect this be loved family!!!!!
My deepest sympathy to the family. I had the chance to know Mr. Harris when I was working at Golden Valley High School as the IEP Meeting Coordinator/Scheduler. He was very kind and very supportive of the students in the Special Education Program. Rest In Peace!
Mr.Harris was one of the only teachers I was exited to see during the school day. He made history one of my favorite subjects. He knew how to teach a class with all ways keeping the atmosphere happy, and joyful. He will always be one of my favorite teachers.
Mr. Harris was one of the few teachers in my life that truly made me love a class. His way of teaching and his amazing personality were one of the core attributes to having a good day at GVHS. I will miss him dearly and am proud to call my self a former student of Eric Harris. Rest in Peace
My son Brandon had him as a history teacher said he was a great teacher!He will be missed may he rest peacefully!
My condolences to his wife and his family. I didn’t know Mr. Harris but my son was in his history class. My son always talked about Mr. Harris about how much he enjoyed his class. My son looked forward to history class everyday. I mourn with the community. We have lost an amazing person. May he Rest In Peace. My son will always remember him.