Harris Dean Hunter

Our happy, special little boy returned to his Heavenly Father on Nov. 6, 2021, having changed hearts and souls for the better during his short stay on earth.

Harris Dean Hunter was a dream come true when he was born Oct. 22, 2019, to father Riley Parker Hunter and his mother Missy Glendenning. When he was placed on Missy's chest, she exclaimed, "I've been waiting for this my whole life!”

Harris was a cheery, sweet-faced, brown-eyed blast of joy. He was adored by everyone who met him...most of all his mother, who said Harris was everything she never knew she needed, and everything she could have ever wanted.

Harris was a people stopper everywhere he went. Friends and strangers would recognize the special sweetness and happiness he exuded. Everyone would comment on his sparkly dark eyes, the wave-like curl on top of his head, and his adorable, extra-wide little "Flintstone" feet.

From an early age Harris was alert and perceptive. He had a sense of what was happening around him and reacted to contention, loud noises, and high emotion.

He quickly became the "main man" in his mama's life and when he was 7 months, they moved to St. George where he officially became the noisemaker-in-chief at Gigi and Papa's house.

Harris was bright and observant and by 18 months he was speaking clearly and articulately. Missy kept a list of all the words Harris mastered, and that list was a mile long. Harris could mimic almost anything he heard, and often did.

Harris was happy when he was around those he loved. He looked forward to visits and face times with his dad and enjoyed dropping in on family, especially his cousins, Grandma Teddy, and the Winwards, and he held a special place in the heart of Vicki, who tended him twice a week.

Harris loved cars and trucks like his dad. He adored anything with motors, and he would often say "Dada" when a truck drove by.

Harris was his mother's rock through challenges, and all of her darkest days were brightened by the warmth of happy little Harris. Anyone who knew Missy could see the effect Harris had. She was saying and writing things like, "This is my happiest year yet,” “This is my favorite guy,” “Being a mother is everything I ever wanted.”

As bright and curious as Harris was, he was also cautious in his own way, and reluctant to disrupt his routine. Faced with anything scary, he went right to his favorite safe spot, Missy's arms.

October 31 was just another day for the Glendenning family until a tragic drowning accident turned the day into everyone’s worst nightmare. Family and trained professionals at St. George and Primary Children’s hospitals did their best to save this sweet boy while friends, family and strangers of all faiths created a campaign of prayer to sustain the family, with hopes that a miraculous cure could happen.

Despite all of this effort, it was determined Harris was done with this life, and on Nov. 6, 2021, in his mother's arms, he slipped out of this world, and back to his Heavenly Father - leaving his stamp on the world and blessing the lives of others through organ donation.

He is survived by his mother, Missy Glendenning, St. George, Utah; father, Riley Parker Hunter Murray, Utah; his grandparents, Doug and Gretchen Glendenning, St. George, Utah; Larry and Annette Hunter, Smithfield, Utah; great grandmothers, Teddy Sue Graff and Margene Lindsay; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Harris truly was his mother's brightest dream and losing him her darkest nightmare. As the families walk through this loss, it is like the nightmare continues, but just as Harris brought brilliant light to Missy's dark days - eternal perspective and hope in Jesus Christ is lightening their pain, keeping the bright dream alive. We know Harris is in loving arms still, and that hope sustains us. While it seems impossible, we will do our best to be #happylikeharris.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021, 5:00 – 7:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bloomington 8th Ward, 3381 Mulberry Drive, St. George, Utah. A second visitation will take place on Friday, November 12, 2021, 9:30 – 10:30 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bloomington 8th Ward, 3381 Mulberry Drive, St. George, Utah.

Funeral services will be on Friday, November 12, 2021, 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bloomington 8th Ward Chapel, 3381 Mulberry Drive, St. George, Utah.

Interment will be on Friday, November 12, 2021, 12:00 pm at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 S Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.

Additionally the funeral service can be viewed online at: https://zoom.us/j/91336275067?pwd=d1g4R2o5anJZcUlaN3V2d1R3bjZCUT09 Password: 123456

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah (435) 673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Harris’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com .