Herman Bruce Harris

Herman Bruce Harris of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Los Angeles, California was born on March 5, 1917. When he was six years old, his adventurous young mother and father moved almost three thousand miles away to "the land of sunshine" -- Los Angeles. They settled in an apartment near Westlake Park, and Bruce attended Third Street School.

He graduated for L.A. High School, and immediately enrolled at U.C.L.A which had a new campus "near the ocean." He majored in Business, minored in Music, was a member of Phi Psi Fraternity, sang in the Glee Club, and played on the U.C.L.A. Tennis Team. Bruce graduated from U.C.L.A. in 1939.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Force, and received his officer's commission in South Carolina. He was assigned to the Hal Roach Studios where he directed military training films. Incidentally another member of that same team was Ronald Reagan, with whom he enjoyed working. He remained in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel.

After the war, Bruce utilized his newfound entertainment business skills and pursued his innate music talents as well, working as a soloist and in chorales for Earl Carroll's Theatre, the most popular of the Hollywood ballrooms. He also sang in various films, including "Fantasia."

Bruce later was affiliated with Organon, Inc., a large, international Dutch pharmaceutical company with American headquarters in Orange, New Jersey. Initially a salesman, Bruce advanced over the years to Western Sales Manager of many personnel, and continued with the company for over twenty years.

Additionally, Bruce met and married Caroline Smythe Parks of Parkacres, Trimble, Tennessee on April 10, 1948. After a honeymoon in Mexico City, they made their home in Los Angeles, California where they lived thereafter. Bruce is survived by his beloved wife Caroline, son Randall Parks Bruce Harris of Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, daughter Heather Harris of Van Nuys, California, and two grandchildren, Randall's son Emerson Parks Tumey Harris of Nashville, Tennessee and Randall's daughter Alexandra Tumey Harris of San Mateo, California.

Graveside services will be at the family Parks/Pierce Cemetery in Trimble, Tennessee. Later in the month there is a memorial service planned at the Westwood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles.

Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Mortuary, Los Angeles, CA.