After high school in 1949 Harris attended the University of Redlands until he was drafted into the Army. Army training transferred Harris to Seattle where he met Audrey Knowlton at Maple Leaf Baptist Church (she offered him a stick of gum). Harris deployed to Korea as with the Army Medic Corps. While in Korea he and Audrey wrote many letters.
Harris and Audrey were married on January 2, 1954 in Seattle. They raised 6 children in Seattle. During this time Harris completed a business degree at the University of Washington.
Most of Harris' career was at Boeing where he had a number of roles.
Harris Donnel is survived by his wife of 70 years, Audrey Donnel. He is also survived by his six children and their spouses Harley and Dixie (Montgomery) Donnel, Terry and Dale Kaemingk, Elaine and Steve Nibler, Becky and John Vermeer, David and Vicky (Deones) Donnel, and Tricia and Casey Alexander. He is also survived by 48 grandchildren and 65 great-grandchildren.
