Dr. Paul C. Harris Jr. passed peacefully Oct. 1, 2010, at Sunrise Medical Center in Las Vegas. He was 90 years young. He was born Dec. 17, 1919, in Seattle, and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Dr. Harris received his PhD in speech and drama in 1960 from Stanford University and was the founding faculty member of the UNLV Theatre Arts Department, where he served on the faculty for 30 years, retiring in 1989. At UNLV, he served as chairman of the Humanities & Fine Arts Division, dean of the College of Fine Arts, chairman of the Theatre Arts Department and served on the Faculty Senate. Dr. Harris retired as Professor Emeritus of the UNLV Theatre Arts Department. As a retirement gift by the faculty, the new theatre located in the Fine Arts building was named in his honor. He was deeply touched by this gift. Paul's children, grandchildren, relatives, friends and live theatre were his joy and his reason for living until it was time to close the curtain. Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Charlotte M. Harris, to whom he was happily married for 39 years. Charlotte and Paul were married April 12, 1949. Their marriage ended with the death of Charlotte Dec. 2, 1988. Paul referred to Charlotte "as the love of his life." He is survived by his three children, Paul C. Harris III, Victoria Harris Serio and Amy L. Wills. Paul was also the proud grandfather of three grandchildren, Maya Erenberg-Harris, and Geoffrey and Saundra Gardner. Viewing will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, with the service following, both at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89123. In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 Eighteenth St., N.W., Washington, DC 20006-3517, or at www.SupportVeterans.org

Published in Las Vegas Review-Journal from October 3 to October 5, 2010