Wendell E Harris Obituary (1944 - 2021)

Born Jan 01, 1944, Wendell E Harris attended Okanogan High School in Okanogan, WA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Wendell E Harris.

Graduation Year	Class of 1962
Date of Birth	Jan 01, 1944
Date of Passing	Jul 06, 2021
About	MAJ. WENDELL E. HARRIS “WEN” Major Wendell E. Harris, Jr., 77, passed away Tuesday July 6th, 2021 at his home in Omak. Born in Omak, WA on January 1st, 1944, he was the eldest of two and the only son of Wendell and Francis Harris. A graduate of Okanogan High, he enrolled at Washington State University earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business and Forest Management. In 1967 he was commissioned as an Air Force Second Lieutenant following his graduation from WSU and the ROTC program. Major Harris was top of his class when he graduated from Navigator Training and was assigned to the 16 TRS, Tan Son Nhut AB, Republic of Vietnam. There he served a combat tour in the RF-4C Phantom II, as a Weapons Systems Operator (WSO) and FCF crewmember. He was then transferred to Kadena AB, Okinawa Japan as a Wing Aircrew Standardization and Evaluations Officer. In 1976, Wen was reassigned to Shaw AB in South Carolina as an Instructor Weapons Systems Officer and Academics Instructor. After two years he became the first WSO Supervisors of Flying and Runways. It was in South Carolina that Wen became a father. Soon, he and his young family transferred to Zweibrucken AB, Germany. In 1979 he was titled the Chief of Safety for the entire base. Under his command, the Wing experienced the best flight safety record in the Tactical Air Force, receiving an “Excellent” MEI-Rating and named the best program in USAFE. His final posting before retirement was in Austin, Texas where he served as Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) Chief of Mobility and Reconnaissance Operations. He concluded his twenty year Air Force career at Bergstrom, AFB with more than 2,650 confirmed flight hours. His military decorations include but are not limited to, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal and eight Oak Leaf Clusters. Following his military career, Major Harris returned to his hometown to reenter civilian life. For 16 years Wendell served in the Okanogan County Health Dept. as an Environmental Health Specialist. Inspecting, educating and enforcing regulations governing sanitation of food, water and waste; he visited every food service establishment in the entire county at least once per year. Wen was a proud and loyal member of local chapters of Fraternal Order of Eagles, V.F.W., American Legion as well as a past Boy Scout Troop Master. He took relaxation and pleasure in the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. When stationed in Germany he studied and received his German Jagermeister (Master Hunter) Certification which takes four years apprenticeship and an examination to accomplish. He is survived by his three children Randy, Wendy and David Harris and Randy’s sons Joseph and Samuel Harris; David’s son Aiden L. Harris, his former spouse Emilie Harris as well as his sister and brother-in-law, Marcia and Doug Hastings and their children Andrew, Jessie and Kelsey as well as his cousin Noelle Allen. He was preceded in death by his parents. Above all else, Wendell believed in American values and patriotism, therefore in lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made in his name to Fraternal Order of Eagles #3004, 1820 2nd Ave N., Okanogan, WA 98840. Major Wendell E. Harris will be interred at Tahoma National Cemetery on Friday September 17th @2:00 pm with Full Military Honors and Flyover. An additional interment will be held on Saturday, September 18th @ 2:00 p.m at Omak Memorial Cemetery with a fellowship gathering at The Okanogan Eagles Club following.