More detail on this person: KENNETH RAYMOND HARBISON, 75, of Las Cruces, NM went to see our Heavenly Father on 12 July 2023 after a courageous, hard fought battle with Cancer. This Amazing, once-in-a-lifetime man will be sorely missed. Kenny was born on 22 May 1948 to Raymond and Kathleen Harbison in Woodland, CA. After he graduated from Yuba City High in 1966, Ken enlisted in the Army and flew AH-1G Cobras & UH-1C Hueys out of Camp Enari in the Republic of South Vietnam in 1968. After 5 months in theater fighting the communists, Ken was shot down on July 17th, 1968, rescued and spent the next several months recovering from his injuries. After recovering, Ken finished his remaining time in the service as a Warrant Officer Instructor and Instructor Pilot at primary helicopter training at Fort Wolters, Mineral Wells, TX until his honorable discharge from the service in 1970. Ken returned to California, settling in Fresno where he enrolled at Fresno Community College. During his undergrad, to support his family, Ken flew as a Fire Spotter for the Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park which, until the day he died, said was his favorite job of all time. Towards the end of college, he was hired by the California Air National Guard (CANG) and was sent to Air Force undergraduate pilot training at Williams AFB, AZ where he finished at the top of his class. After Air Force continuation-training, Ken flew the F-106 Delta Dart for the 194th Fighter Interceptor Squadron out of Fresno Air Terminal. He also finished his undergraduate degree in Biology from Fresno State in 1976. While flying for the CANG, Ken was hired by Continental Airlines and flew for Continental/United Airlines until 2001 when he and his bride retired to Las Cruces, NM. In 1966, Kenny met the love of his life, Miss Barbara Jane Hill of Dallas, TX while he was in Basic Training at Fort Ord, California. "Ken and Barbie" married on the 16th of June 1967 at Fort Wolters, TX. They later had two sons, Mark, and Mike who both followed their father into aviation careers. The love Kenneth showed his family was one to behold, working tirelessly and nonstop for his loved ones was something he cherished and did without asking for anything in return. The example he set is something his whole entire Family will strive to emulate the rest of their lives. Kenneth was predeceased by his parents, Raymond, and Kathleen Harbison. He is survived by his ever-loving wife Barbara; his sons Mark Allen and his wife Ronda Ann; Michael Allen and his wife Tanya Elizabeth; and grandchildren Emma Nicole, Hayden Kenneth, and Isabela Maria. Kenny (as his sons lovingly called him) spent his retired years meticulously restoring antique aircraft, fully restoring a PT-17 Stearman and a Stinson Voyager 108-3. Never will you meet a more consummate aviator from head to toe. The Wild Blue is less of a place without Captain Kenneth Raymond Harbison. Services will be held at a future time and place to be named. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association or the Wounded Warrior Project, organizations Kenneth felt strongly about. Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com
This information was last updated 08/07/2023
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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