Harry Lee Linn
| Harry Lee Linn | |
|---|---|
| Born |
October 15, 1935[1] Gilmore City, Iowa, USA |
| Residence | Fort Payne, Alabama, USA |
| Spouse | Elaine Marie Apking |
| Children |
Russel Lee Linn Robert Ashley Linn |
| Parents |
Hugh Alva Linn Edith Lucille Nelson |
| Relatives |
Hugh Roy Linn (brother) Bruce Allen Linn (brother) Thomas Alvin Linn (brother) Richard Dale Linn (brother) |
As a boy, Harry chauffeured for his uncle and godfather Harry Deforest Linn, by then an important state leader. Harry can recall driving his uncle to other states for hunting trips with governors and other state leaders. This period certainly imprinted on Harry strong conservative values which he held through his life.
Following in the steps of his older brother and as a way to travel outside Iowa, Harry joined the armed services. Just before finishing pilot school, after the government had already invested thousands of dollars in him, doctors found a joint problem in Harry's knee, preventing him from being a pilot. Harry jokes that the injury was probably a tennis injury. After being grounded, Harry was assigned duty on the USS Bennington. The carrier was off the coast of Vancouver, giving daily solutes to the Queen of England, when Pearl Harbor occurred. The carrier was immediately diverted to the Pacific and prepared for active engagement. In the East Pacific, the carrier was maneuvered into the center of a westbound hurricane, testing a Pentagon theory that such a ship could avoid radar detection and launch a surprise attack. The theory failed, the ship was nearly destroyed and had to dock at a Pacific Island, and Harry was sent home, never to like boats again.[citation needed]
Harry attended the University of Northern Colorado, where he met and married his wife Elaine, and eventually graduated in Social Studies and Art Education.
In the 1960's the couple returned to Iowa, where Harry taught high school history and coached wrestling. Harry's wrestling team became state champions and Harry was awarded Coach of the Year. The McCallie School, an elite Chattanooga boarding school, recruited Harry to teach and coach there.
Harry was later appointed U.S. Probation Officer for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Harry and his wife retired to Fort Payne, Alabama, where Harry enjoys golf and motorcycles. Harry rides a custom Suzuki Intruder 1500.