Bainbridge Island resident John Newhall Harris, Sr., age 79, died Feb. 13 at Island Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born April 26, 1922 in Amherst, Mass. to Roy D. Harris and Everlyn Newhall Harris.

From 1943-1945, he was a B-17 pilot with the Army Air Corp, 348th Bombardment Squadron, 99th Bomb Group. He rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Certificate of Valor in Aerial Combat.

In Dec. 1945, he married Mary Skinner Harris in Brattleboro, Vt.

He retired as the CEO of Beavers Paper Co. in Houston, Texas.

Throughout his life, he worked with numerous volunteer organizations, including the Boy Scouts, volunteer fire and police departments and Woodward Middle School.

He was a member of the Bainbridge Island Senior Center.

He was preceded in death by his brother William B Harris.

He is survived by his wife Mary; brothers James S. and Charles E. Harris, both of Greenfield, Mass.; daughter Susan E. Harris Robirds of Bainbridge Island; son John Newhall Harris Jr. of Powder Springs, Ga.; and four grandsons.

A private memorial service was held Feb. 17.

Remembrances may be made to the CancerCare Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E. J5-2000, Seattle WA 98109.