More detail on this person: Harris, John Daniel
(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.
Burial information: Fountain Park Cemetery, Winchester, IN
This information was last updated 02/20/2014
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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