Donald R. Harris

HARRIS DONALD R. Don was born on August 15, 1922, and was known for his gardening and dedication to teaching. Residents of Toledo came from all over the city to admire his garden where he would give each person a cutting to take home. All who knew him, learned from him. He was an extraordinary teacher. A long time Toledo area Teacher, Coach, and Athletic Director, Don served as a science teacher and coach at Libbey High, as a Biology Teacher at Bowsher, and Athletic Director at Holy Spirit Seminary. He retired in 1987 from St. Ursula Academy where he served as a teacher and Athletic Director. He also owned a black top sealing business and employed many of his former students. A 1940 graduate of Libbey High School, Don received his Bachelors Degree from Bowling Green State University where he played Football and Wrestled. He earned his Masters Degree from The University of Toledo and did further graduate studies in Biology. He served in the Pacific in WWII on the USS Meriwether as the Boat Officer at Luzon, Leyte, and Okinawa. He was the Executive Officer and Navigator on the USS Noxubee in the Atlantic earning two Bronze Stars. Don was an active member of The Board of Directors of the Toledo Federation of Teachers, The Toledo Zoo, The Toledo Museum of Art, a lifetime member of VFW Post 2898, South Side Post American Legion and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Social Fraternity. He attended Christ Presbyterian Church for over 40 years. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane and is survived by his daughter, Mary Beth, her husband, Mike, and his granddaughters, Amanda and Emily. His family included his sisters Helen, Ruth, and Norma, and brother Bobby. Visitation will be held at the Walker Funeral Home 5155 Sylvania Ave. west of Corey on Wednesday from 5pm to 8pm. The Burial will be held at 3 pm Thursday at Toledo Memorial Park with services to follow in the chapel at Christ Presbyterian Church 4225 W. Sylvania Ave. at 4pm. The family requests that Don be remembered with a contribution to the Alzheimers Foundation of America. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com