Obituaries

Benford Barnett Harris

Photo of Benford Barnett Harris
Benford Barnett Harris, 88 of Wellington, Fla., died Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 in hospice care. He was born Sept. 24, 1928 in Wesson, Ark., to Oliver Graden and Nettie Evelyn Jolley Harris. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother Joseph Lavelle Harris. Survivors include two daughters: Holly DeMars of Garden City, N.Y., and Adair Walker of Gillette, Wy.; two sons: Brandt Harris of Las Vegas, Nev., and Craig Harris of Nebo, N.C.; one brother: Dr. B. R. Harris of Flat Rock, N.C.; two sisters: Linda Clements of Bossier City, La., and Barbara Justiss of Springdale, Ark.; five grandchildren: Andrew Harris of Gainesville, Fla., Douglas Harris of Edgewater, Md.; Lindsey DeMars of Providence, R.I., Alex DeMars of LosAngeles, Calif., and Jonathan DeMars of Garden City, N.Y.; and several nephews and nieces. Known as Ben Harris since his years in the service, he attended schools in El Dorado, Parkers Chapel and Junction City, Ark., from where he graduated high school. Having grown up on the family farm, he was to realize his childhood dream of becomming a pilot and, after passing the required tests, joined the Army Air Force. He received basic training in San Antonio, Texas, and became a Corporal after about five weeks in the army. He was soon accepted into Officer Candidate School and was assigned to go into advanced training in Shreveport, La., to learn to fly twin engine B25 bombers. He was later promoted to Aircraft Commander, then to Captain, serving in California, Alaska, Greenland and other bases, flying the B47 before leaving the Air Force. He later accepted the position of Pilot with Eastern Air lines based in Miami, Fla. Later in life he bought and sold real estate in the south Florida area. Online condolences: HollyDeMars@gmail.com.

Published January 15, 2017

Upcoming Events