Barbara Lou (Rettig) Harris

She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, University of Dayton Hall of Fame basketball player Chris Harris; sons Chris and Jon; and granddaughter Kelley Kuntz McDonald.

Barbara became a singing sensation while growing up in a musical family in Dayton, making her first public appearance at age 12. She won the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts as a 17-year-old in 1953. Considered the American Idol of its day, it was the highest-rated show in the country.

She immediately signed a contract with CBS-TV. In June of that year, she was chosen by Garry Moore to co-host with him for a two-week stint on his popular daily show.

She met her future husband during an appearance on the Wendy Barrie Show, a regional weekly variety show on CBS affiliates. Chris arranged to be at the broadcast and was called out of the audience. The two were introduced on air, sparking a romance that lasted seven decades.

Barb was a kind, compassionate and loving mother and was devoted to her 21 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Though happy as a stay-at-home mom, she still made local TV appearances on The Betty Rogge Show in the 1960s and ‘70s, among others, and performed at local restaurants. She also sang at the weddings of all her children.

When Chris opened what later became a chain of TV and appliance stores, Barb appeared in commercials with him and sang the company jingle, “Chris Harris, We Love You.”

Barb was the daughter of Woodrow and Mary Elizabeth (Tizzy) Rettig. She had two brothers and a sister: Bill Rettig of Marion, Ohio; and John and Patsy, both deceased.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Charles Catholic Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd., Kettering, at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 3. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Miami Valley Chapter, 6 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402.