Homer Eugene “Gene” Harrison Jr., born Aug. 22, 1924 in Anniston, a former resident of Baldwin County and a resident of Santa Monica, Calif., died Aug. 25, 2007 after a lengthy illness.
In his youth he attended Woodstock Elementary, and was a member of the 1942 Anniston High School graduating class and the AHS Marching Band.
In 1942 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Following basic training in California, he was accepted into the U.S. Marine Corps Paratroopers Division. Upon successfully completing Paratrooper School in 1943, his platoon was deployed to combat zones in the Pacific where he was very much involved in combat until the end of World War II.
After his discharge he remained in the Oakland, Calif., area where he was employed with the County Library System. He returned to the Anniston area in the early 1950s where he resided for many years in Calhoun, St. Clair, Talladega and Baldwin Counties of Alabama, before moving to Santa Monic.
At the time of death he was very much involved in both church and community activities in Santa Monica.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce W. Harrison of Birmingham; parents, Homer E. Harrison and Isabelle Primm Harrison of Anniston; brother-in-law Phillip Whittington “Whit” Whiteside of Anniston and Mobile.
Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Peggy Adams-Harrison of Santa Monica; son, Donald E. Harrison of Calfironia; daughter, Terri H. (Don) Shannon of Huntsville; step-daughter Sandy (Bob) Kirkpatrick of Santa Monica; sister, Margie H. (Francis Allen) Whiteside-Allen of Daphne; three grandchildren, Brad and Melanie Shannon, and Bethany S. (Adrian) Broussard of Huntsville; several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held in California.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice.
