Our beloved husband and father, passed from this life on February 8, 2017 at the age of 91.  He was born on August 7, 1925 on a farm to parents Oscar and Maude Harris and raised in Blue Rapids, Kansas. As the U.S. entered WWII, Don graduated from high school and enlisted in the Army Air Corps at age 17.  He was commissioned a second lieutenant, serving as a navigator/bombardier on a B-17 crew and later re-assigned for training on B-29s.

Don attended the University of Kansas where he was an active member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, ultimately being elected president for one term. Graduating in 1950 with a business management degree, he joined Sunray DX Oil Company, and embarked on a 33-year career with Sunoco culminating in his retirement in 1983 as Manager of their US Crude Oil Trading & Transportation group. Early in his career, a young secretary caught his eye and he was immediately smitten (as was she!). Six months later Don and Julie were married in the Rose Chapel of Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa, OK.  They helped found Ascension Lutheran Church where they remained active for many years. The couple raised a family and worked in Tulsa, Philadelphia and Houston, where they ultimately retired. Don's retirement was active and richly lived with many rounds of golf including 5 holes in one. He was a member of Northgate Country Club where he served a term as President of the Senior Golf Association. In retirement, Don and Julie traveled extensively throughout Asia, Europe and North America with Don actively photographing all of their adventures. His photos remain a source of great joy to the family and are a great source of nostalgia.

Don participated in athletics much of his life and was active in his children's sports endeavors. He had a passion for music, photography, woodworking, gardening, cooking and was especially engaged in mapping the family genealogy. This passionate endeavor, pioneered by his mother, traced the family's ancestry back to the 1400's. At his passing, the family tree contained more than 1,500 members. Don continued updating this amazing resource until months before his passing as marriages happened and babies were born.

?Don was selfless and could see the good in everyone. He invited workmen inside to sample his chili and offered one of his handcrafted walking sticks to many friends and acquaintances. He is survived by Julie, his loving wife of 62 years, and their three children, Gayle (Steve), Michael (Kimberlee), and Matt (Norma). He was blessed to have enjoyed deep and loving relationships with his five grandchildren: Kristine (Matt), Amanda, Christopher, Angela and Jennifer, as well as his three great grandchildren Sam, Katherine and Isaac. Don's surviving siblings were a source of love and friendship throughout his life: Dale Harris (Bobbie Jo) of Athens, Ohio; Marge Hogue of Topeka, Kansas and Dorothy Hula of Marysville, Kansas. In addition, numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and in-laws survive Don and all were a source of tremendous joy during his life.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Methodist Hospital Willowbrook and Memorial Hermann Hospice who lovingly cared for Don in his final days.

The family will receive guests during a visitation at the Klein Funeral home at 16131 Champions Forest Drive, Spring, TX 77379 from 3pm to 6pm Saturday, February 25, 2017.  You are also encouraged to visit www.kleinfh.com to share your favorite memories of our beloved Don.  The family will celebrate Don's life at the biennial family reunion this June in Ruidoso, NM.  In lieu of traditional remembrances, please donate to Northwest Assistance Ministries – Meals On Wheels Program at http://namonline.org/get-help/meals-on-wheels/ or your favorite charity.