Chesley M. Harris Jr.
May 24, 1915 - June 4, 2007

Chesley M. Harris Jr., 92, of Sterling, died June 4, 2007, in Sterling. There was cremation. The memorial book can be signed today, June 7, and Friday, June 8, until 4 p.m. at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Leonard Goering. Services will conclude at the church.

Chesley was born on May 24, 1915, to Chesley M. Harris Sr. and Jessie (Bowles) Harris in Padroni. He attended school in Padroni, graduating from high school in 1932. The family moved to Sterling and he worked at what was then Security State Bank.

Chesley was among the first group of flying students under the CPT Program in Sterling. After completing the course he became a civilian flight instructor for the Navy.

On April 6, 1944, he married Thelma Dietz. He was commissioned a Lt. j.g. as a Naval Aviator. They lived in Ottumwa, Iowa, and in Dallas and Corpus Christi, Texas, where he continued as a flight instructor.

Following the war they moved back to Sterling and Chesley went to work at the Journal-Office Supply Co. He was co-owner with James Madison, retiring in June 1987.

Chesley found particular enjoyment in reading to the elementary school children at Ayres School.

Chesley is survived by his wife, Thelma Harris of Sterling; daughter, Mary Harris-Flesch of Aurora; son, Dick Harris and wife Susy of Alamo, Calif.; granddaughter, Mimi Harris of Alamo; grandsons, Rick and Mike Harris of Alamo; nieces, Marga Boedeker, Los Alamos, N.M., and Linda Gwin of Winnetka, Calif.; and nephew, Dan Hickox of Huntington Beach, Calif.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sterling Lions Club, First Presbyterian Church or a charity of the donor's choice.