Delbert Eugene Harris

Delbert Eugene Harris Jr., 90, of Grants Pass died Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, at Highland House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. No services are planned. Contributions may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 18th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. Harris was born Dec. 31, 1919, in Riverside, Calif. He was accepted for flight training in the Army Air Forces in 1942 and served as a test pilot at a repair depot in England. In June 1944, he was transfered to a P-47 "Thunderbolt" fighter group and flew 39 combat missions before being shot down on Aug. 1, 1944. He was a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft III. During a forced evacuation march in the winter of 1945, he escaped three times. He was successful in evading recapture on his third attempt and he made contact with a Patton tank spearhead in April 1945. After World War II, he was attached to the Air Force's first operational jet fighter group, flying the Lockheed P-80 "Shooting Star." He set several speed records between various cities in the United States and he remained in the Army Air Forces until 1949, when he returned to Riverside. He became a building contractor and built homes, warehouses, commercial buildings and an amusement park in six southwestern states. He also raced motorcycles in Southern California. In 1978, he and his wife retired and moved to Wonder. For many years, he was a part-time instructor at Rogue Community College, teaching welding and computer-aided drafting. He also was active in the Oregon Small Woodlands Association and the Military Officers Association of America. Survivors include a daughter, Joan Courtney of Hillsboro; a son, Lary Harris of Wonder; a half-sister, Annette Johnson of North Augusta, S.C.; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His wife, Phenice, died in 2008.