Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
BirthJul 23, 1947, Loudon County, Tennessee [58344]
BurialUnknown [58344]
FatherJames Oscar HARRISON (1918-1974)
MotherJeanette GRAY (1917-2010)
Obituary Online notes for James Gray HARRISON
Daily Post Athenian
James Gray Harrison
Aug 5, 2009
James Gray "Jim" Harrison, 62, of Athens, died Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, 2009, at his residence.
A native of Loudon County, he was a son of the late James O. Harrison. He was a member of Mars Hill Presbyterian Church, where he was serving as an elder. He was a member and former president of the Athens Optimist Club. He received the J. Neal Ensminger Man of the Year Award in 2008. A graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he was associated with the Citizen's National Bank Insurance Services Division as vice president.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly Hill Harrison of Athens; his mother, Jeanette Gray Harrison of Loudon; one daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Eric Johnson of Pleasant View; one son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Amber Harrison of Knoxville; one granddaughter, Layla Johnson; one grandson, Cameron Johnson; and one sister, Sally Harrison of Knoxville.
A memorial service will be 5 p.m. Friday at Mars Hill Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Les Rust officiating.
The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Mars Hill Presbyterian Church, 205 N. Jackson St., Athens, TN 37303; to the American Cancer Society, c/o Faye Forgety, 120 County Rd. 447, Athens, TN 37303; or to a favorite charity of your choice.
Jerry Smith Funeral Home of Athens is serving the family of James Gray "Jim" Harrison.
Daily Post Athenian
Thursday, August 6, 2009
GREG MOSES Staff Writer
Jim Harrison, a "quiet man" whose community service over the years spoke volumes, passed away Wednesday at age 62 after a long battle with cancer.
Harrison was serving most recently as vice president of Insurance Services for Citizens National Bank. "Insurance" was a strong facet of Harrison's character, as he strove for years to ensure his community was left better off than how he found it. Yet, despite his strong efforts, Harrison never sought recognition for his efforts.
"He was a mountain: Quiet but strong," said Paul Willson, chairman and CEO of Citizens National Bank and a friend of Harrison's. "He was always upbeat - practical and very pragmatic, but upbeat. You could tell it from his walk, his handshake and the way he spoke. And even during his illness, that never diminished. He really showed us how to live life, and it appeared to me he got the most out of every minute."
A long-time Athenian, Harrison was involved with a number of organizations and causes in the community. He was a past chairman of the United Way of McMinn and Meigs Counties, a member of the Friendly Fellow Club, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Board member, active member of the Athens Optimist Club, member of the Athens Housing Authority board and worked for a number of years with the Unaka District of the Boy Scouts.
A native of Loudon, Harrison first came to Athens to attend Tennessee Wesleyan College. He would later serve his alma mater as director of admissions for a number of years.
Along with his wife, Beverly, Harrison was a faithful member of Mars Hill Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder.
Jack Allen, who was Harrison's neighbor, colleague, fellow church member and served with him in a number of civic groups and outreach programs, said of his old friend, "He was the kind of person we'd all like to be."
"Jim's integrity, honesty, fairness and love for his family set an example for the rest of us and his legacy will be that he was a man of 'quiet action,' getting things done without recognition or fanfare," said Allen. "This is a tragic loss for all of us as Jim was always actively working to better our community through his volunteer works, even up to just a few weeks ago."
For his service to the community, Harrison was named Athens' Young Man of the Year in 1983. In January, 26 years later, he became the most recent recipient of the J. Neal Ensminger Man of the Year Award.
Letters of recommendation for Harrison called him "a man of integrity," "a friend of everyone," and "a role model within our community."
"Athens and McMinn County are a better place because of Jim," one recommender wrote. "He is simply the best."
Upon being presented with the award, Harrison said he loved being able to serve the community he loved.
Harrison said in January, "I'm proud to say I'm pleased to be a transplanted McMinn Countian." [58344]
James Gray Harrison
Aug 5, 2009
James Gray "Jim" Harrison, 62, of Athens, died Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, 2009, at his residence.
A native of Loudon County, he was a son of the late James O. Harrison. He was a member of Mars Hill Presbyterian Church, where he was serving as an elder. He was a member and former president of the Athens Optimist Club. He received the J. Neal Ensminger Man of the Year Award in 2008. A graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he was associated with the Citizen's National Bank Insurance Services Division as vice president.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly Hill Harrison of Athens; his mother, Jeanette Gray Harrison of Loudon; one daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Eric Johnson of Pleasant View; one son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Amber Harrison of Knoxville; one granddaughter, Layla Johnson; one grandson, Cameron Johnson; and one sister, Sally Harrison of Knoxville.
A memorial service will be 5 p.m. Friday at Mars Hill Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Les Rust officiating.
The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Mars Hill Presbyterian Church, 205 N. Jackson St., Athens, TN 37303; to the American Cancer Society, c/o Faye Forgety, 120 County Rd. 447, Athens, TN 37303; or to a favorite charity of your choice.
Jerry Smith Funeral Home of Athens is serving the family of James Gray "Jim" Harrison.
Daily Post Athenian
Thursday, August 6, 2009
GREG MOSES Staff Writer
Jim Harrison, a "quiet man" whose community service over the years spoke volumes, passed away Wednesday at age 62 after a long battle with cancer.
Harrison was serving most recently as vice president of Insurance Services for Citizens National Bank. "Insurance" was a strong facet of Harrison's character, as he strove for years to ensure his community was left better off than how he found it. Yet, despite his strong efforts, Harrison never sought recognition for his efforts.
"He was a mountain: Quiet but strong," said Paul Willson, chairman and CEO of Citizens National Bank and a friend of Harrison's. "He was always upbeat - practical and very pragmatic, but upbeat. You could tell it from his walk, his handshake and the way he spoke. And even during his illness, that never diminished. He really showed us how to live life, and it appeared to me he got the most out of every minute."
A long-time Athenian, Harrison was involved with a number of organizations and causes in the community. He was a past chairman of the United Way of McMinn and Meigs Counties, a member of the Friendly Fellow Club, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Board member, active member of the Athens Optimist Club, member of the Athens Housing Authority board and worked for a number of years with the Unaka District of the Boy Scouts.
A native of Loudon, Harrison first came to Athens to attend Tennessee Wesleyan College. He would later serve his alma mater as director of admissions for a number of years.
Along with his wife, Beverly, Harrison was a faithful member of Mars Hill Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder.
Jack Allen, who was Harrison's neighbor, colleague, fellow church member and served with him in a number of civic groups and outreach programs, said of his old friend, "He was the kind of person we'd all like to be."
"Jim's integrity, honesty, fairness and love for his family set an example for the rest of us and his legacy will be that he was a man of 'quiet action,' getting things done without recognition or fanfare," said Allen. "This is a tragic loss for all of us as Jim was always actively working to better our community through his volunteer works, even up to just a few weeks ago."
For his service to the community, Harrison was named Athens' Young Man of the Year in 1983. In January, 26 years later, he became the most recent recipient of the J. Neal Ensminger Man of the Year Award.
Letters of recommendation for Harrison called him "a man of integrity," "a friend of everyone," and "a role model within our community."
"Athens and McMinn County are a better place because of Jim," one recommender wrote. "He is simply the best."
Upon being presented with the award, Harrison said he loved being able to serve the community he loved.
Harrison said in January, "I'm proud to say I'm pleased to be a transplanted McMinn Countian." [58344]