Ray E. Harris Jr.

Ray E. Harris Jr. went home to be with the Lord on April 23, 2015, after a long illness. Ray was born Jan. 21, 1924, to Ray and Beatrice Harris in Indianapolis. His brother Harry followed nine years later. During his growing-up years he was a Boy Scout, obtaining the Eagle Scout award. After he graduated from high school he went to Butler University in Indiana, studying chemistry. However, World War II sidetracked his education for a few years. He was in the 11th Airborne Division of the Army. After training in New Guinea as a combat paratrooper, he went to Leyte and also was a part of the Luzon invasion of the Philippines, where he earned a Bronze Star. Then he went on to Japan with the Occupation troops and was honorably discharged in January 1946. He went to Wabash College, transferring to Washington State College, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1949.
Ray was preceded in death by his first wife Marilyn and second wife Ruth, daughter Susie and brother Harry. He is survived by his daughter Peggy Heinrich and her husband Dwaine and daughter Carol Coulter; grandchildren: Carrie Rager and her husband Steve, children Haylee, Alec and Isaac; Darrell Garber and his wife Cyndi, their children Megan, Cody, Emily and Mya; Sheri Jenkins and her husband Ryan, children Lane, Dru, Ella and Blake; Shellie Galvan and her husband Freddie, children Alia, Tatiana and Olivia, all of Modesto; Aaron Heinrich and his wife, Kelly, children Holden, Henry, Owen and Vera of Escalon; and Mike Heinrich and his wife, Becky, children, Brady and Macy of Wichita Falls, Texas.
Ray lived a quiet life – but a great life. Some words that describe him are integrity, intelligent, helpful, patriotic and Christian believer– he knew his Bible and lived it! The one word that is heard many times describing him was that he was a real gentleman! He loved his friends, he loved his family and most of all he loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!