Barbara Ellen Harris

Barbara was born on Father’s Day, June 17, 1928 to Thelma Ruth and George Dewey Burton in Des Moines, Iowa. She was raised there with her 5 siblings, Conrad, Keith, Virginia, Robert and Sharon. A graduate of East High School, Barbara followed her brother Conrad to McPherson College in Kansas where she received her Bachelor’s Degree and became an elementary school teacher. She moved to Chicago, Washington D.C., and finally Long Beach, California with her husband where they raised their three children. During that time Barbara was active in the community; she was an elementary school teacher, taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was president of the PTA.

In 1977 Barbara married Ben Harris. The couple moved to Newport Beach to start a fabulous life together. Barbara worked as an interior designer, general contractor and property manager alongside Ben in their property development and property management companies. In their more than 40 years together, Barbara and Ben traveled the world extensively visiting North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Antarctica. They loved Newport Beach, Catalina Island, Cabo San Lucas, Palm Springs, flying and boating. Barbara loved to entertain and they hosted many events in their beautiful homes for their many friends and large extended family.

Barbara and Ben’s generous philanthropy extended to many areas but her passion for education, the arts and medicine were exemplified by generous donations of time and resources to the University of La Verne, Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts, U.C. Irvine Cancer Research and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, to name a few.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Ben, and her three children Mark Doty, Kimberly (Steve) Bowen and Steve (Lori) Doty; three stepsons Randy, Curt and Andrew Harris; and ten grandchildren, Angelica, David, Christina, and Genevieve Bowen; Tara, Jessica, Gabrielle and Eliza Doty; Baron and Paisley Harris.

The Barbara Harris Scholarship at the University of La Verne continues in her name.Online gifts can be made In Memory Of Barbara Harris below.

Phone gifts can be accepted by calling (909) 448-4682 and mentioning the gift is In Memory Of Barbara Harris.

Mailed gifts can be addressed to the following, noting In Memory Of Barbara Harris in the memo line:

University of La Verne

Attn: University Advancement

1950 Third Street

La Verne, CA 91750