Harry Evans Harris, a longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away on December 5 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 89. A navtive of Des Moines, Iowa, Harris graduated from Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa, with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1936. After moving to California, he joined North American Aviation in 1940. A year later, he was sent to Kansas City to help build the plant that built the B-25, known as the Billy Mitchell Bomber. Harris met his future bride, Mary Ann McChesney, in Kansas City, and they were married in 1941. They moved to California and built their home on Alma Real 54 years ago. Through his years here, Harris helped with Little League baseball, worked with the Palisades-Malibu YMCA, and for one year served as president of the Huntington Palisades Property Owners Association. He and his wife also worked for Meals on Wheels for 12 years. Harris retired from North American Aviation in 1969 and joined Ablestik Laboratories, which he had helped to form, and retired from that position in 1979. Harry and Mary Ann enjoyed 64 years of happiness together. They participated in many sports, such as skiing, tennis and golf, in many places all over the world. Their especially enjoyed playing golf over the last 20 years at the Los Angeles Country Club. In addition to his wife, Harris is survived by his son Richard of Mesa, Arizona; daughter Roxanne Hill of Westlake Village; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A private gathering will be held in the family home. Any remembrances may be made in Harry’s name to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, Inc., Parkinson Plaza, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305-1425.
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