H. Earl Harris died Nov. 13 at his home on the Woodhills ranch, Saratoga, where he had lived 50 years. He was 78.

Before it became part of the Fremont Older Open Space District on Prospect Road, Harris became a tenant of Cora Older's. He lived in the now-historic adobe pool house on the estate but was more than a tenant. "He was like a son to me," the grand dame of early day Cupertino was said to have told a friend.

It was at Woodhills that he was married to Donna, a nurse at Ford Motor Company where he was first in security and later in quality control. He retired from Ford when the plant closed in 1982, and later returned to work in 1984 at Nummi in Fremont, finally retiring in 1989. "He loved his job at Ford, into which he was able to funnel his love of cars," said his daughter, Jennifer Harris.

It was at Woodhills that the children, Jeffry, Joel and Jennifer, were born. In 1960 the Harrises moved next door to Older in a house they built.

He spent his retirement years until 2002 as a volunteer at Hakone Japanese Gardens in Saratoga, an interest stimulated by activity in Pacific Neighbors and the Sister Cities program. The Harrises also visited Japan, and hosted many Japanese exchange students.

Harris was born in Bakersfield. His mother died when he was six months old, and he was raised by his grandmother. After graduation from high school, he went into the Navy and was stationed in Guam.

Under the GI bill, Harris entered the police school at San José State University. There he became a member of the police fraternity, Chi Pi Sigma. He graduated in 1951. During the Korean War, he returned to the Pacific and supervised Korean prison camps.

Besides his children and his wife, he is survived by a grandson, Finnegan Lyon-Harris; a son-in-law, Bob Rowland of Lopez Island, Wash.; and two daughters-in-law, Jennifer Lyon of Redwood Valley and Denise Harris of Los Gatos.

"He will be remembered for his humor, his generosity, his sensitive and supportive nature, his love of poetry, music and individuality," said his daughter.

The family suggests donations be made to Hakone Foundation, 2100 Big Basin Way, Saratoga 95070; Chi Pi Sigma, 230 S. 10th St., San Jose 95112; or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.

A celebration of Harris's life will be held at Hakone Gardens Jan. 7.