Velma Illene Harris & Jacob Warren Harris

Illene was born in Cashion, Oklahoma to Arnold O’Del Chandler and Velma Olive Donihoo on December 29th, 1930. She was one of four children and raised in Guthrie, Oklahoma. She was schooled in Guthrie, and in her teenage years was a strikingly beautiful young woman who modeled hats and gloves for the local fashion store.

Jay was born in Cooper, Oklahoma to Norman Harris and Edna Mae Lowery on April 21st, 1927. He was one of three children raised in Osage county and later in Edmond, Oklahoma. After high school in Edmond, OK, Jay immediately joined the US Navy following his brother Jack. He served aboard the USS Bull as a Yeoman 3rd Class in the Pacific theater traveling to many ports in Asia. After the war, Jay returned to Oklahoma and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Civil Engineering.

In 1946, Ilene’s red hair and blue eyes caught the attention of Jay at a local dance. They dated for several years and were married in 1950. Dancing was a constant in their marriage of over 71 years. Their love for each other was amazing to watch; throughout their lives they were devoted to each other.

Jay and Illene had two sons, Steve and Mark in 1952 and 1954 both born in Oklahoma. Jay Joined Pacific Pumps and the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1955 the family moved to Anaheim, California. Jay worked at Pacific Pumps (Dresser Industries) and Illene a wife and mother as the young family thrived. Jay and Illene were very involved with their son’s lives including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and sports. Illene was a Den mother and Jay was a Scout master.

Jay and Illene were passionate about gardening and weekends in California were spent visiting botanical gardens around the state. Camping trips with their boys around California were also very regular, visiting most parts of the state.

Illene and Jay always found time to dance together, and evenings without the boys almost always involved dancing.

Illene and Jay moved to Dallas and later to Houston with Jay’s work at Dresser. Illene worked at Southland Life in Dallas and as an Executive secretary in Houston. The boys Graduated High School and College in Texas. While in Houston Jay joined the executive team at Axelson in Longview, Texas and Illene and Jay moved to Longview. While there, Jay acquired ownership share in Ramteck Industries and became CEO in one of the subsidiaries, FH Maloney Company. He served in this role for many years, and when Ramteck was sold to British company, Jay joined First Houston International Corporation as CEO helping companies to acquire one another and develop products.

While in Houston Jay and Illene also pursued their passions of flowers and dancing. They became members of the Plumeria Society of America and Jay served as its President. They travelled to Hawaii to collect specimens which grow in their garden today.

Jay and Illene travelled extensively in Europe and the Americas with many cruises and trips with friends before landing in Horseshoe Bay, Texas.

Never ones to remain idle, square dancing started with the Crazy Eights and The Bluebonnets. Later they joined the Kingsland Country Cuzzins and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a dance which they sponsored. Round dancing continued to be a passion for the couple as they travelled all over the US dancing for fun and in competitions. Illene was a gifted seamstress and created many (if not all) of their matching ensembles.

Jay was involved with the local M.U.D. board, appraisal district, and elected as the Llano County Republican Chairman.

Throughout their lives, Illene’s grace and kindness and Jay’s patience and thoughtfulness were loved by all. Their impact on others’ lives will remain.

They are survived by their two sons Steve and Mark, wives Lynne and Jenny, four grandchildren, six great grandchildren, sister-in-law Lela Chandler, and nieces and nephews.

Services are pending.