Harris, Maurice A.
June 14, 1917 - June 27, 2011
Maurice "Dub" Harris passed away peacefully on June 27, 2011 at the age of 94. He was a highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Army serving in both World War II and the Korean War.
Dub was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, the youngest of seven children. He attended Louisiana State University on a football scholarship. In 1943, before completing his degree at LSU, he enlisted in the 82nd Airborne where he served as a platoon commander in Europe and was later awarded two Purple Hearts.
After the War, he attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he taught R.O.T.C. while he completed his undergraduate degree in Education in 1951. The same year, Dub married his college sweetheart, Geraldine Harris.
He later served during the Korean War where he rose to the rank of Captain of the 2nd Infantry Division and served as a battalion level commander. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star Medal with one Oak-Leaf Cluster, and Purple Heart with two Oak-Leaf Clusters, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Badge among other medals and badges. Captain Harris retired from the Army in 1955.
He formed the Dub Harris Corporation, an industrial packaging company in 1964. He ran his company for more than 40 years, contributing revolutionary ideas and methods to the packaging industry.
He gave back to the community by supporting organizations such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, The Los Angeles Youth Foundation, Shriners Hospitals, and the John R. Wooden Award hosted by the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Dub became a founding member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1978 and was honored as an inductee in the expanded category in 1987.
In 2001, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from his Alma Mater, Washington University at his 50th College Reunion.
Loved by all he knew, he will be missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his ever loving daughter, Jeannie, loving granddaughter, Jennifer, and loving son-in-law, Chris.
He will be laid to rest at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona Del Mar, CA with Military Honors at 11am on Sunday, July 3. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Washington University in St. Louis in honor of his 60th Alumni Reunion, class of 1951.