James H. Harris
August 10, 1923 - March 27, 2023
SAN DIEGO —
Jim Harris passed away at the age of 99 following a period of declining health. Jim was a man of many accomplishments. He was born in WilkesBarre, PA to Wolfe and Minnie Harris, and had an older sister, Irma Harris Wolovsky. Jim graduated from Meyers High School in 1941.
Following his life-long love of airplanes, he then attended the Academy of Aeronautics in New York. In 1942, wanting to help out with the war effort, Jim worked as an aeronautic engineering inspector with Glenn L Martin Aircraft until entering the Army Air Forces on October 16,1943. He served stateside, supervising a team that performed inspections on aircraft, and he became a
C-46 mechanics instructor. Following the war, Jim attended classes in business accounting and law through the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.
In 1946, Jim joined his father’s business, Pioneer Manufacturing. This was the beginning of a long career for Jim in children’s wear manufacturing, culminating in the mid-1960’s with the merger of Jim’s business with Roseneau Brothers. At that time, Roseneau Brothers was the largest manufacturer of girl’s clothing, including Cinderella Fashions.
In the spring of 1947, Jim met the love of his life through a blind date at a local college dance in
Wilkes-Barre. Ruth Kluger, who at the time was working in the fashion industry in New York City, came home for the date and to visit her parents at their home in nearby Wyoming. The morning after that first date, Ruth told her mother, “That’s the kind of man I could marry.” Jim had borrowed different cars for their first 3 dates, and it worked out well, as Jim and Ruth were married on March 7, 1948. They had two daughters, Shelley and Nancy.
Jim and Ruth quietly celebrated their 75th anniversary this year.
In keeping with his interest in airplanes, Jim became a private pilot in 1958 and soon earned his instrument rating. He kept his Cessna180, and later, Cessna 210 at the nearby Forty-Fort, PA airport, and enjoyed flying his planes for business and family trips.
Jim began playing golf with his father at an early age, and after their marriage, Ruth took golf lessons so she could join Jim on the local courses. They enjoyed golfing together for many years in Pennsylvania and later in the San Diego area, and
Jim enjoyed volunteering at San Diego area PGA events.
Contemporary and antique cars captivated Jim from an early age. In the early 1960’s he owned an Austin Healy and a Corvette, and raced them on local frozen lakes. In the late 60’s, he purchased an AAMCO transmissions franchise, and soon built it up to be a top-performer.
But, on March 29, 1970, fate stepped in. A blizzard hit the area, and snow once again blocked Jim’s AAMCO parking lot. Jim decided that he’d had enough of the winter weather in northeastern PA. With friends, he made the decision to open a discount fabrics and domestics store in the San Diego area. The first Value-Land store opened in Chula Vista in January 1971, and the rest of the family soon moved to San Diego. Six additional Value-Land stores were subsequently opened.
In 1990, Jim sold the Value-Land corporation, and Jim and Ruth began to enjoy retirement. Jim was now able to devote more time to the Model A and other classic cars he had collected, and was active with the Early Ford and Ford V-8 clubs. He spent many hours maintaining, showing, and traveling with his beloved classic cars, much to the anguish of his wife, and was very proud of the many awards he received at car shows.
Jim was involved in many community organizations. He was a Scottish Rite Mason, a member of San Diego
Lodge #35 Free and Accepted Masons, and of Al Bahr Shrine. In 1994, Jim began 22 years of volunteer service to SCORE, a national association of counselors to America’s small business owners. He brought his years of professional success in manufacturing and retail sales to mentor aspiring and current small business owners, and additionally received commendations from the Federal Bureau of Prisons for his work at San Diego area correctional facilities coaching individuals needing interview and job application skills.
Jim and Ruth lived life to the fullest, enjoying cultural activities and world travel. Jim was a strong supporter of Israel and Jewish causes, and community needs. He constantly strived to learn new things and keep abreast of world and local affairs.
Jim is survived by his wife Ruth, daughters Nancy Harris and Shelley Ross, son-in-law Jeff Ross, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews and cousins. He will be missed by family and friends.
A private service was held on March 30th.
Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank, 9850 Distribution Avenue San Diego, CA 92121-2320 and Jewish Family Service of San Diego, 8804 Balboa Avenue San Diego 92123.