Robert Dunn Harris

Robert “Bobby” Dunn Harris, 91, of Dayton died Sunday, June 30, 2013 at home surrounded by his family. Mr. Harris was born January 3, 1922 in Bay City to parents Joseph Denton and Emma Helen Dunn Harris, moving to Dayton in 1924. He attended Dayton schools and graduated from Dayton High School in 1938. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering in 1942 from Texas A & M and served in the military with the Army engineers from 1942 to 1945. After the war, Bobby returned to the family lumber business. He and his brother, Joe diversified into construction and development, providing Liberty and Dayton with some of their notable residential, commercial areas, schools, and churches. He was Mayor of Dayton from 1948-1950, and served on the City Council from 1950-52. He was Director at Liberty County Federal Savings and Loan Association from 1959-1979, was a past president of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce and has served on the Board of Directors of the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. Bobby served 20 years in the Dayton Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Chief for two years and on the Parish Board of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He also served on the Board of the Dayton Drainage District and on the audit and budget committee for the City of Dayton. He was a Director at First Liberty National Bank from 1995-2007, served on the Magnolia Park Cemetery Association, the Dayton Historical Society and was very Instrumental in establishing and restoring the Dayton Old School Museum. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Magnolia Park Cemetery under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home and rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Harris was preceded in death by parents, son, Pat Harris and sister, Jean Tally. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara DiLollo Harris of Dayton; sons, Rob Harris of Waco, Larry Harris and wife Linda of Dayton, and Mike Harris and wife Wendy of Austin; daughter, Beth Harris of Livingston; daughter-in-law: Vivian Harris of Houston; grandchildren, Amy Tan and husband Victor, Matthew Harris and wife Stefanie, Laura Ressler and husband Richie, Leanne Strickland and husband Jason, Alan Valdmets-Harris, and Ben Valdmets-Harris; eleven great-grandchildren; brother, Joe Harris and wife Frances of Liberty; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mr. Harris’ caregivers. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Dayton Historical Society and St. Joseph Catholic Church. Please leave your thoughts and memories for the family at www.pacestancil.com