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Holton E. Harris Westport, CT QCWA # 13470 Chapter 112 |
Holton Edwin Harris, 92, former Westport RTM Deputy Moderator and Chairman of the Finance Committee, author and local business owner, passed away April 4, 2016. He was a 55 year resident of Westport and adored living here and being an active community member.
He grew up in Shreveport, LA, graduating from both Byrd High School and, as a Post-Graduate, The McCallie School (TN). At the latter, he won many awards including one later named after him, the Holton E. Harris Oratorical Medal, awarded to Ted Turner in a subsequent year. He attended Georgia Tech, which his grandfather founded, for 2 years, then transferred to MIT. He graduated at the top of the MIT class of 1944, earning both an SB and an SM in Electrical Engineering.
He served our great country as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in World War II for 22 months in the South Pacific and was a proud veteran. He marched in the Westport Memorial Day Parade for many years.
After his schooling and military service, he worked at General Electric, the R.W. Cramer Company, Eastern Air Devices and Reeves Instrument company before opening his own electronic and manufacturing company, Harrel, incorporated, which ran successfully for over 50 years in Norwalk, CT. Mr. Harris had 17 patents under his belt and his employees were like his second family.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 53 years, Jeanne Deming Harris, his son Walter D. Harris and his wife, Sonia, daughter Dorothy (Dorrie) Harris and two grandchildren. He is predeceased by both a brother, Walter A. Harris and sister in law, Mary Edna Harris, of Haddonfield, New Jersey.
Mr. Harris served the Westport community in many capacities. He was a member of the Westport RTM for 12 years from 1969-1975 and 1993-1997 and served as Deputy Moderator. He also served on the Westport Republican Town Committee for 18 years in a number of leadership positions including Chairman. He was a steadfast champion for the Town.
In addition to his community activities, Mr. Harris regularly operated an amateur station with the callsign W1WP. Even here, he served the Town as he kept it ready for emergency communications, participating in yearly Field Day drills.
A celebration of Mr. Harris’ life will be held at the family’s home, 5 Newtown Turnpike, Westport, on Sunday, April 17, 2-5pm. A gravesite service, with military honors, will be held for family only.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to The McCallie School (500 Dodds Avenue, Attn: Development Office, Chattanooga, TN 37404) or Troupers Light Opera Company (P.O. Box 859, Darien, CT 06820).