Jack Harris Obituary

Jack B. Harris

Jack B. Harris 93, passed away October 10, 2015. Jack was born in Wichita on November 13, 1921 to Perry F. and Elizabeth B. Harris. As a Boy Scout he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and attended the first Jamboree in Washington D.C. After graduating from North High School he served as a navigator in the army air corps during World War II in the European theater and was one of the first to use the new Pathfinder radar system. He was the only survivor when the C47 plane crashed in England. Though he suffered numerous injuries including three degree burns over 80% of his body he miraculously survived, and received the Purple Heart. He went on to graduate from K.U. with a degree in industrial management. Jack was an entrepreneur in Lawrence, KS where he owned a furniture and appliance store and a bowling alley. He served as Postmaster from 1964-1986. He also successfully developed several industrial and residential sites in Lawrence. He was active in civic affairs serving on the Lawrence City Commission; and lead both the Lawrence and Kansas Centennial Commissions and many service organizations. In 1990 he moved back to Wichita where he ran a venture capital business until his death. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his brother and sister-law Perry Jr. and Helen Harris. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Dorothy R. Harris; a brother & sister-in-law, Joe and Charlotte Harris of Wichita; four children: Liz Heller (Len), Lexington, KY; Doug Harris (Mary), Atlantic, IA; Suzy Coleman (Mark). Portland, OR, and Laura Graham, Wichita; grandchildren Daniel Heller, Sarah Heller, Nathan Harris, Isaac Harris, Rachel Harris, Adeline Lopez, Katie Coleman, Jonathan Coleman, Jack Coleman, Malcolm Graham, Kevin Graham and great grandchildren Toren Harris and Annabelle Coleman. Jack's Service will be held at the Old Mission Funereal Home, 3424 E. 21st Street, Wichita, on Thursday, October 15th at 11:00 A.M. Family and friends invited for refreshments & memorabilia after service. Burial at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Winnfield, KS.

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