Edson S. Harris

Edson S. Harris, formerly of Scottsdale, AZ, died peacefully in his sleep in Eugene OR on December 27, 2007. He was 94. Born in Philadelphia in 1913 to Edson and Caroline Harris, he attended Swarthmore College and received his Mechanical Engineering degree in 1935. He met Virginia Littlejohn at a dance in Philadelphia and married her in Mexico City in 1938. They returned to Philadelphia and raised their 6 children. In 1942 he joined the Marine Corps and proudly served as the Assistant Operations Officer with VMB 611 Marine Bombing Squadron in the Philippines. In 1962 the family moved to Scottsdale and Edson worked for Thompson Industries as a design engineer. As he often said, it was the best job he ever had. He and Jinny embraced life, family and friends. They traveled extensively, played tennis into their 80's and loved each other for more than 60 years. Jinny preceded him in death in 2000. Edson is survived by Stuart and Sandy Harris, Georgia Hudak, Shep and Mary Harris, Bruce and Jo Ann Harris, Barbara Harris and Polly and George Long; 13 grandchildren ;and 4 great-grandchildren. A memorial celebration for both Edson and Jinny will be in Scottsdale at McDowell Mtn. Park at 11:00 AM on March 29, 2008.