Avis de décès de Don-G. Harris - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

1932-2014 WATERVILLE - Don G. Harris, lieutenant colonel, USAF, Retired, 81, died Friday, May 16, 2014, shortly after arrival at Inland Hospital. He was born in Sullivan, Ill., on July 1, 1932, the son of Floyd L. and Lula B. (Graven) Harris. He was educated in Sullivan schools and enlisted in 1951 in the Air Force as an airman and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict flying as crewman of a B-29 Bomber. He was also a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He primarily served as an instructor pilot training pilots for several years in both the T-37A and T-38B (Talon) program. During the Korean conflict he was an enlisted gunner on B-29s, and during the Vietnam conflict flying the B-B57-B "Canberra." It was during this time that he flew more than 200 missions over North and South Vietnam as well as in neighboring Laos, in support of ground troops and night interdiction missions against enemy vehicle convoys, troops and san-pans. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for having flown a night interdiction mission on Nov. 24, 1968, over the Ho Chi Minh trail in which his aircraft sustained heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire. Col. Harris continued his strafing runs and managed to perform a single-engine landing at a nearby air base in South Vietnam. Don was affectionately known as "Chrome Dome" amongst his fellow pilots. In 1969, the Air Force assigned him as the Professor of Aerospace Studies for the Colby College ROTC program in Waterville. Don retired in 1972 from the Air Force. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he owned and operated the local Dunkin' Donuts franchise on Main Street and the former Brass Bell Restaurant here in Waterville. He also taught U.S. history classes at Lawrence Junior High School for several years in Fairfield, retiring in 2003. Don was a member of the Waterville Lodge of Elks 905, the Bourque-Lanigan Post 5 American Legion, MacCrillis-Rousseau Post 8835 Veterans of Foreign Wars of Winslow, Retired Officers Association and the 8th Air Force Association ("Grim Reapers.") Don also enjoyed volunteerism, gardening and antiquing, and Don's family would like to express a thank-you to the Fairfield Antique Mall for their support and assistance over the years. He is survived by his two sons, Sgt. 1st Class Brice Harris, South Carolina Army National Guard, and his wife, Barbie, of Blythewood, S.C., and Bradford Harris, of Waterville; a grandson, Evan P. Smith; and his mother, Barbara Smith, of South China; three brothers: William "Bill" and Lorraine Harris, of Sullivan, Ill., John and Joe "Norma" Harris, of Tuscola, Ill.; and two sisters: Audrey Groves, of Tuscola, and Jane McNeil and husband Kent, of St. Louis, Mo.; and a sister-in-law, Judy Harris, of Queen City, Mo., and Maine. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Anne; his sister, Mary-Charlene McManus; two brothers: Stanley Harris, and Charles Harris and wife Patricia. Also surviving is Don's close friends, Meg and Emma Rodrigue, of China Village. A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville, and burial will be private. Condolences may be expressed and guest book signed at www.gallantfh.com.