Obituary: Jean C. Harris

Jean C. Harris, at home in Dewey, Ariz., lost her struggle with lymphoma on June 20, 2011.

Jean was born in Joliet, Ill., on April 29, 1930. Her childhood was spent in northern Illinois where her mother and father were teachers.

She graduated from high school in Chicago and, after a short stay with her mother in Beloit, Wis., she moved to Los Angeles, where she worked for TWA airlines for several years. While there, she met Baxter Harris, who had a Chevron service station in Whittier, Calif. They were married in Whittier in 1963.

In 1964, Baxter and Jean moved to Lake Havasu City, Ariz., where Baxter operated the only Chevron service station in town. In early 1970, Baxter and Jean left Lake Havasu and bough the Chevron service station in Cordes Junction, Ariz., from Henry Cordes, a legend in and around Mayer, Ariz. They added a restaurant and bar called the Copper Star. Jean worked in the restaurant and kept the books for nearly 20 years.

When Baxter retired, he and Jean built a house in Spring Valley. Baxter passed away in 2000. Jean sold their house and moved to the Country Club in Dewey, Ariz. Jean cared for her mother, Dorothea Wacaser from Spring Valley until she passed away in Prescott Valley in 2002. Then the health of her sister, Marjorie Wacaser, failed, and Jean cared for her until her death in 2009. Jean has earned her place in heaven and leaves many, many friends to remember her.

Her survivors are two brothers, Frank Wacaser of Kingman, Ariz., and Emery Wacaser of Burton, Mich.; sister-in-law Ruth Ford and Rocky of Mesa, Ariz.; sister-in-law Ann Russell of Oklahoma City, Okla.; stepson Baxter Harris Jr. and Mona of Oneida, Tenn.; and stepson Ronald Harris of Texas.

Information provided by survivors.


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