Grayle Dean Harris,102 years, died on 8/7/2023, at home in Saint Cloud, Florida, peacefully with loving family near. He was preceded in death by his mother Stella, father Ross Harris, brother Everett Harris, and sister Ellyn Sandall.
He leaves behind his daughter, Mava Gayle, her husband Chuck Reif, Granddaughters Jennifer Braley Reif, Becky McNichols, her husband Chris McNichols, Great-Grandchildren Chase and Corban Braley, Brent, JC, and Aubrey McNichols, of Saint Cloud, Florida, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, and loved ones around the country and world.
He was born in Arvada, Wyoming, on 10/17/1920. Because his life spanned a century, he was blessed to be able to watch the changing times from his unique perspective. He loved to tell about his early years in a cabin without electricity, running water, radios, telephone, or bathroom, in the Wyoming prairie, with only horses or wagons for most of his growing years.
Later on the model T and other automobiles were coming around, and he glimpsed his first airplane as a boy, sparking the desire to one day be a pilot and fly up there in the clouds. He achieved that goal in 1942 with a commercial pilot rating, and he chose to go teach military cadets to fly in Texas.
When WWII began, he entered the Army Air Force as a Service Pilot, ferrying different planes from coast to coast, and into Alaska. As a part of the war effort, he joined the China/Burma/ India Transport Command, which flew the dangerous Hump over the Himalayas and into China, living in India with a mongoose in the tent. He was away from his family for years, until the war
ended.
In 1948 while living in Geneva, IL, he met and married Mava Wells, the girl who would be his sweetheart for the next 72 years. They had one daughter, Mava Gayle, in 1950. In 1952 they headed west for Santa Monica, CA. Working as a carpenter in CA, he and his father set the footings for the Hollywood Freeway at the off ramp near the Capitol Records Bldg., still standing today. In 1965 he gave his heart to the Lord in a little church and committed his life to serving Him.
He soon began flying a single engine Cessna 185, for Trans World Mission in Mexico and Brazil, spreading the Gospel of Christ. He and Mava had many adventures and miracles during this time, and he was able to continue his love of people and flying, and gained lifelong friends.
He flew all over Mexico and much of Central and South American jungles and cities. He flew over the Andes 3 times for the mission, just edging over the peaks at 18,300 ft without oxygen.
After leaving the mission field, they settled in Irving, TX near family for 20 years, and then moved to Saint Cloud, FL in 1998 to be near daughter, Mava Gayle and Chuck and the grandkids. In 2015 he and Mava moved in with them, enjoying life and family nearby. On 8/31/2020, his sweetheart Mava passed to Heaven, and he looked so fondly on the day they would meet again there with their Lord!
At 102 yrs, he was blessed to have an active and sharp mind, memorizing scriptures, and working crossword puzzles and sudoku every day, and using a computer and iPhone very well. He loved to tell jokes and laugh. He was keenly interested in everyone he met, wanting to know their story, and remembering all the details of their lives for years. He loved his family above all, they were his pride and joy, and he loved being part of their lives. He was gentle, loving and kindhearted.
One scripture he repeated often was Psalm 19:14,”Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” He really lived that! He will be missed so much, but we rejoice that we will see him again!
