Riley A. Harris, 44, of Peyton, Colorado, died unexpectedly of natural causes while at work on Thursday, December 30, 2021.

Born on December 10, 1977, in Columbia City, Indiana, he was the son of Gary A. and Lynne (Hancock) Harris. Growing up in the Columbia City area, he graduated from Columbia City High School in 1997.

He began his work career with Niblock, Columbia City as a heavy equipment operator. After attaining some General Motors Mechanic certificates, he became an auto mechanic. He worked for Whitley County Motor Sales and later joined Kelley Automotive in Fort Wayne. He opened Southside Auto Repair in 2012 and owned and operated it until moving to Colorado in 2019. In Colorado Riley worked as an independent adjuster for automotive extended warranty companies. In 2021, he joined Christian Brothers Automotive in Colorado Springs, CO.

Always a thrill-seeker, he enjoyed motorcycles, jet skis, four-wheelers, and anything fast. His children remember him as a creatively fun Dad who played video games, made pancakes, and took them out for fun in the snow on a car hood pulled by a truck. Many remember him being accompanied by his big furry boy, Woody. He enjoyed the outdoors, mushroom hunting, cutting wood, and camping with his children or his fiancé and her children. He and his fiancé Kristin had many happy days playing cards or riding the motorcycle through the mountains. Riley was thrilled he had found the "love of his life" with Kristin and they planned to be married and enjoy their life together.

Surviving are his children, Naomi, Eden, and Ayda Harris of Fort Wayne; his fiancé Kristin Hart Monnier, and her children Mia Monnier and Cole Monnier, all of Peyton, CO; father Gary (Lisa) Harris of Columbia City; sister Stefanie (Jason) Branning of Larwill; stepfather Roger Drudge of Columbia City; stepsister Michelle Drudge of Fort Wayne; and paternal grandmother Donna Piper of Columbia City.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lynne Drudge.

Visitation is 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with a funeral service at 6:30 p.m.

This service will be live streamed through our Facebook page.