Joel "Gus" Lon Harris

Joel Lon “Gus” Harris passed away from this world surrounded by his family on January 30th, 2022, after a long, difficult battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Rebecca Harris; 2 children, daughter Anna, and son William; Mother Josephine Harris; brother Gary Harris, (wife Carolyn); and numerous extended family members and dear friends.

Joel was born on October 15, 1963 at Bentwaters Air Base in England.  He spent his formative years as an Air Force “brat” moving to Omaha, Tucson, and Germany until his father retired to Albuquerque in 1974.  He graduated from Sandia High School 1981 and enlisted in the Army as a Special Forces operator and served in that capacity for 8 years.  He then attended the University of New Mexico where he was in the Sigma Chi fraternity.  He joined the New Mexico Air National Guard “Tacos” as fighter pilot in 1989, where he met his wife, Rebecca.  Over his 34+ year career he flew the A-7D Corsair II and the F-16C Fighting Falcon.  He attended the prestigious USAF F-16 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course and amassed over 3100 hours with 180 combat hours.  His combat deployments were: Operations DENY FLIGHT and DELIBERATE GUARD in Bosnia Herzegovina, and Operations NORTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM in Iraq.  In the New Mexico Air National Guard he served in many roles, most notably as the Maintenance Group Commander, Operations Group Commander, and Vice Wing Commander in the 150th Fighter Wing and later, the 150th Special Operations Wing.

After retiring from the Air National Guard, he began a second career training future F-16 pilots in the simulator.  He taught in the U.A.E. and, more recently, at Holloman AFB, NM.  As a lifelong instructor this was a dream “second career.”  He had many varied interests and hobbies, but particularly loved ballooning.  He co-owned 2 balloons that were staples at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival for many years.  He had many, many dear friends.  If a man’s life is measured by his friends, Joel’s was very rich indeed.

Friends may visit Monday, February 28, 2022, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Lomas.  A Rosary and Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Albuquerque, NM.  Interment will follow the Mass in Santa Fe National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Melanoma Research Alliance Foundation at   www.curemelanoma.org.