Dr. James Harrell Harrison
October 20, 1943-September 27, 2020

James Harrell Harrison, Jr., the only child of James Harrell Harrison and Martha Jean Graves Harrison, was born at Harris Clinic on October 20, 1943 in Lincoln Parish, Ruston, Louisiana. He graduated from Warrington Junior High in Pensacola, Florida, and Pensacola Escambia High School in 1961. He was also a graduate of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee in June of 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology; a graduate of the University of South Florida in 1973 with a Master of Arts in the College of Education and The College of Natural Sciences; and a graduate of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida in April of 2005 with a Doctor of Education.

His athletic career included: Warrington Junior High undefeated football team and undefeated basketball team. In football he specialized in defense in high school and earned all city honors in 1961. In his college debut at Sewanee he scooted for a touchdown on his first collegiate run and then threw a touchdown pass the next time he entered the game. His favorite high school memory was his undefeated football season during his senior year and beating Pensacola High School by leading a goal line stand to hold off a last minute touchdown by PHS. He was also a member of the University of the South 1963 undefeated and untied football team. As a veteran player his senior year, he was the most experienced passer on the squad. He was shifted to quarterback and also saw action at tailback. He was touted as able to play any backfield position. Clearly best known for his athletic prowess on the football field, he was also a standout on the baseball diamond. He was a member of the Pensacola Little League 1953-55 where he held the second best batting average on the team. At Sewanee he was Captain and a top three hitter his senior year. Unknown accolades include the 1952 Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags #1 8-yr-old twirler; the 1957 Warrington Junior High Advanced Orchestra French horn player; and the 1958 Pensacola Youth Symphony Orchestra French horn player. He was his high school senior class vice-president, and Master of Ceremonies on Class Day. His class motto was: "Not for ourselves but for all ", which he lived out his entire life. His lifetime team affiliations and the deep friendships formed surpassed his desire for personal accolades. While at the University of the South, he was a member of the Green Ribbon Honor Society and served as Proctor at McGrady Hall the summer of 1964.

When James could no longer play football, his coaching years surpassed even his playing ones. He was the 1969 Northwest Florida Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and the 1978 and 1979 Big Sun Conference Coach of the Year. His career in education spanned 46 years and included classroom teacher and coach at Pensacola Catholic High School, Pensacola Escambia High School, and Gainesville Eastside High School; principal at Lake Butler, Florida, Middle School; superintendent of the Maryville, Tennessee, City School System; and various positions in Florida in the Alachua County and Marion County School systems, ending as Assistant Superintendent in charge of Transportation. He is remembered for the impact he had on the lives of those he touched both on and off the playing fields and in and out of the office. He always worked to do his best no matter the task at hand and to instill in others that hard work and a job well done was more important than honor and prestige. Faith was a guiding factor in his life. He was a Warrington, Florida, Methodist licensed minister (1961- 1963); 1967 confirmed Lutheran Church of the Ascension, Atlanta, Ga; 1992 confirmed Grace Episcopal Church, Ocala, Florida; and attending the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Carrabelle, Florida, since 2014.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Tessmann Harrison; his children Kimberley Harrison Donovan (husband Tim), and James Harrell Harrison, III; his granddaughters Kylie Beard Cunningham (husband Connor), Katherine Elizabeth Borschel, Liliana Rose Harrison, and Macy Jane Harrison; his step granddaughters, Emma Donovan Clark (husband Derrick) and Abby Donovan. James was Preceded in death by his parents James Harrell Harrison, Sr. and Martha Jean Graves Harrison.

Surrounded by water in Pensacola in his youth, his love for the ocean waters grew naturally. He was a certified diver and avid boater. In his later days he was most often found in his coastal yard or on his porch overlooking Bird Island and Dog Island near Carrabelle, Florida. He was a child of the tides, and to be near them where he sought his final days of peace and will endure as his earthly resting place. His 50 year reunion message to his classmates was, "Be grateful for each day and enjoy each day as a special gift." The Lord is my Light and my salvation, whom shall I fear. Psalm 27:1 This is the day which the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Friday, October 30, 2020 from 1:30-3:00pm at his home (2488 Highway 98 East; Carrabelle, FL 32322).

In lieu of flowers please send any donation/remembrance to: Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (for angio-sarcoma research) 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 900, Nashville, TN 37203