John D. Harris

John D. Harris was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, John will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

       He was the son of John Paul and Irene (Moore) Harris. John grew up in Winchester, Indiana.

      John had one sister, Phyllis Harris Deboy. John was usually involved in all sorts of activities with his siblings. He and his sister experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

      A typical teenager, John had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

       Empathic and loyal, John was committed to making his new family happy.

      John worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. John was blessed with three daughters; Kelly, Jody, and Kirsten. Another blessing for John was the gift of six grandchildren, Alec, Danielle, Aaron, Annika, Bryce, and Dylan.

      Fortunately, John enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, John worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. His primary occupation was military service. He was employed for 22 years, 7 months, and 23 days in the military, 5 years at Flight Safety International and 19 years as a flight instructor for American Airlines. John always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

      John was a United States Air Force veteran. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home.

      John enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for him to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included traveling the world together with his beloved wife Linda.

      John passed away on February 13, 2016 at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas. He is survived by his wife Linda; his children Kelly, Jody, and Kirsten; his grandchildren Alec, Danielle, Aaron, Annika, Bryce, and Dylan; his sister Phyllis; his nephews Darren, David; niece Michelle; and many great nieces and nephews. Services were held at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Colleyville, Texas. John will be inurned at Fountain Park Cemetery in Winchester, Indiana.

      Simply stated, John was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. John leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember John D. Harris.

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John Daniel Harris (Major Retired USAF) passed away Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Texas. He had lived in Euless, Texas since 1983.

He was born on August 19, 1940 to John Paul and Irene (Moore) Harris in Winchester, Indiana. He graduated from Winchester High School and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. John served as an officer in the United States Air Force. As an HH53 helicopter pilot, he flew with an elite group of pilots known as the Jolly Green Giant Rescue Crew. Their motto, “So that others may live.”

John began his service in the United States Air Force on January 8, 1960. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on December 13, 1960 at Harlingen AFB, Texas and went on to B-52 air crew training. He was a navigator & radar navigator from March 1962 to March 1967 while in the B-52H Strategic Air Command (SAC) Unit at Kincheloe AFB, Michigan. After pilot training, he became a B-52H co-pilot at Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan in September 1968. In 1970, he completed basic & advanced helicopter training at Shepard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas and Eglin AFB, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida before continuing his service as an HH-53 co-pilot and aircraft commander with the 40th ARRS (Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron) at Udorn and Nakhon Phanom (NKP) Air Bases, Thailand. From June 1973, until his retirement on August 31, 1982, John served as an aircraft commander at Hamilton AFB, California; Eglin AFB, Florida and Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. After 22 years, 7 months and 23 days of military service, John spent five years at Flight Safety International and 19 years as a fight instructor for American Airlines.

Upon his second retirement, John and his wife Linda, who were high school sweethearts, traveled the world together, with friends and family. He loved the military, his family, conservatism, hunting, and his many friends.

John is preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene Harris, granddaughter Allyson N. Otto, nephew John Delmar DePoy and niece Bethany DePoy Paolino.

He is survived by his wife Linda Hunsucker Harris; children, Kelly Harris South, Irving, TX, Jody Harris Booher & husband Wyatt Booher, Albuquerque, NM, Kirsten (Holly) Holladay & husband Patrick Holladay, Euless, TX; grandchildren, Alec South, Danielle South, Aaron Otto, Annika Otto, Bryce Holladay and Dylan Holladay. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis Harris DePoy, Woodbridge, VA; her children Darren DePoy, College Station, TX, David DePoy, Albany, NY, Michelle Atkinson, Manassas, VA and many great-nieces and nephews.

Final resting place, Fountain Park Cemetery, Winchester, Indiana. Internment at a future date.

Memorials to John D. Harris can be made to:

First United Methodist Church of Grapevine TX - Benevolent Fund

Or the charity of your choice