Ralph Edward Harrison, 83 of Tucson, AZ formerly of Taylorville passed away on Friday, June 17, 2016 in Dallas, TX.
He was born on August 30, 1932 at Mount Eagle, TN the youngest son of James Clyde and Adeline (Morton) Harrison. His family later moved to Stonington where he graduated from Taylorville High School in 1950. He then attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. After college he joined the Marines where he was a Corporal in the First Marine Division of the 11th Battalion in the Korean War.
After returning from the war, Ralph met and married Janice Jane Johnson on December 30, 1954. He and his family lived in Taylorville where he operated his family business, Harrison Motor Sales until selling the business and retiring in 1995 to Tucson, AZ to continue to perfect his golf game.
After the passing of his wife in 2002, Ralph continued traveling around the United States in his motor home. He was later joined by his longtime companion Myra Joy Turner of Dallas, TX. He became a campground host at Custer State Park in South Dakota until 2014.
Survivors include: Daughter, Samantha (Duane) McBeath of Gilbert, AZ; Sons, Aaron (Tara) Harrison of Brighton, CO and Bruce (Heather) Harrison of Marana, AZ; Grandchildren, Madison and Sydney McBeath and Raegan and Kaden Harrison;
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Wife, Janice, Son, Ralphie Jr., Siblings, Jimmy, Billy and Betty.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Taylorville with Pastor Becky Lembke officiating. Burial with military funeral honors will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Ralph Harrison Family Scholarship Fund at the First United Methodist Church, 200 S. Walnut Street, Taylorville, IL 62568 or Taylorville VFW Post #4495, 515 West Avenue, Taylorville, IL 62568.
Condolences to his family may be left at www.perfettifuneralhome.com
Shafer-Perfetti Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Taylorville is in charge of arrangements.
