Colonel John W Harris

Colonel John W. Harris, a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2024. 

Col. Harris soared peacefully to his eternal resting place, at his Oklahoma home of nearly fifty years, surrounded by family and friends.

A decorated veteran and pilot, the colonel was awarded the: 

                               Legion of Merit while serving as Base Commander, 4787th Air Base Group,                                                                                                                Headquarters Aerospace Defense Command (1974-1976). 

                               Distinguished Flying Cross in the Vietnam War, for successfully executing a                                                                                                               mission to photograph an enemy troop concentration while receiving heavy                                                                                                                  ground fire (1969).  

                               Distinguished Flying Cross in The Korean Way, for destroying twenty enemy                                                                                                              vehicles and damaging twenty more, in the face of accurate enemy return fire                                                                                                             at night in mountainous terrain (1951).

Col. Harris pursued his passion for flight from the tender age of ten. He remained a licensed private pilot until 2017, while logging 15,506 flying hours in 85 different aircraft, both military and civilian. 

The colonel’s legacy lives on through his two sons and daughters-in-law, his seven adult grandchildren and their spouses along with ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his lovely bride, Marie, of 61 years, in addition to his parents and five siblings. 

A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of condolence gifts, the family requests a donation, of any amount, to a charity of your choice in his name. 

                                                                                           “There’s a big difference between an aviator and a pilot.                                                                                                   One is a technician, the other is an artist in love with flight.”