Powell's dad died of Stage Four Metastatic Prostate Cancer. He fought hard but we are glad he didn't suffer too much in the end. I'm glad Powell was able to go and spend time with him one day a week to help and to visit. The whole time we have been married Powell has enjoyed talking to his dad a few times a week on the phone. They would talk about airplanes, science, weather, etc.....all that stuff I'm bored to talk about. Powell already misses those talks but we know he has out of pain and in a better place.
Obituary for Thomas Dudley Harrison
Our beloved Tom “The Science Guy” Harrison passed away on November 20, 2013 after a valiant fight to survive cancer. Tom, the son of Elizabeth Powell Underhill and Arthur Dudley Harrison, grew up in Garden City, New York.
While in high school, the state held an annual State Science Competition – the grand prize being a full four year scholarship to any college of the winner’s choice. Tom won first prize in the three years that he entered the competition. Tom chose to go to MIT with his scholarship. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1957. He went on to teach at MIT for two more years while earning his Master’s Degree. He then went on to work for TRW on the space craft program. In 1980 he started Colorado’s first private long distance telephone company. Tom later developed a passion for the gas and oil business. He participated in the drilling of over one hundred gas and oil wells. In more recent years Tom secured five U.S. Patents on the technology covering regeneration power for air conditioning in automobiles. He had a true entrepreneur’s spirit, always thinking and creating new inventions.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He loved the gospel. He had many positions in the church, but his favorite position was teaching the primary children.
On July 20, 1969 Tom married the love of his life, Carolyn Joan Lawrence, and was sealed to her in the Los Angeles Temple in 1972. Tom’s greatest accomplishment was the family that he shared with Carolyn. Together they share six children, sixteen grandchildren and three great granddaughters. His kindness, generosity and knowledge made him a “go to” man that many would seek out for guidance. Tom is leaving a remarkable legacy and will be dearly remembered.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children, James Harrison, Ashleigh (Ryan) Spencer, T. Powell (Jessica) Harrison, Michael (Jill) Harrison, Janice (John) Galbraith and Kurt (Susie) Harrison; 16 grandchildren; 3 great granddaughters.
Funeral Services for Tom will be held Saturday, November 23rd, at 2:00 pm, at the Suncrest 1st Ward Chapel, 14977 South Round Tree Lane, Draper, UT where a Viewing will be held prior from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm. Interment in Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT.
While in high school, the state held an annual State Science Competition – the grand prize being a full four year scholarship to any college of the winner’s choice. Tom won first prize in the three years that he entered the competition. Tom chose to go to MIT with his scholarship. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1957. He went on to teach at MIT for two more years while earning his Master’s Degree. He then went on to work for TRW on the space craft program. In 1980 he started Colorado’s first private long distance telephone company. Tom later developed a passion for the gas and oil business. He participated in the drilling of over one hundred gas and oil wells. In more recent years Tom secured five U.S. Patents on the technology covering regeneration power for air conditioning in automobiles. He had a true entrepreneur’s spirit, always thinking and creating new inventions.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He loved the gospel. He had many positions in the church, but his favorite position was teaching the primary children.
On July 20, 1969 Tom married the love of his life, Carolyn Joan Lawrence, and was sealed to her in the Los Angeles Temple in 1972. Tom’s greatest accomplishment was the family that he shared with Carolyn. Together they share six children, sixteen grandchildren and three great granddaughters. His kindness, generosity and knowledge made him a “go to” man that many would seek out for guidance. Tom is leaving a remarkable legacy and will be dearly remembered.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children, James Harrison, Ashleigh (Ryan) Spencer, T. Powell (Jessica) Harrison, Michael (Jill) Harrison, Janice (John) Galbraith and Kurt (Susie) Harrison; 16 grandchildren; 3 great granddaughters.
Funeral Services for Tom will be held Saturday, November 23rd, at 2:00 pm, at the Suncrest 1st Ward Chapel, 14977 South Round Tree Lane, Draper, UT where a Viewing will be held prior from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm. Interment in Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT.
 |
| Jan with her two grand daughters at the graveside. |
 |
| Grandma Carrie and Savannah |
 |
| Pall bearers |
 |
| All six siblings with Carolyn. From Left to Right: Janice, James, Carolyn, Powell, Michael, Ashleigh and Kurt |
 |
| We were glad that Mom and Dad came to the funeral, graveside and dinner. |
 |
| Brinley and Ben |
 |
| The whole family! Matthew wasn't there because he is serving his mission in Bolivia. It's the first time they've all been together since I married Powell and that was 15 years ago. |
 |
| The cousins had fun sitting together at lunch. |
2 comments:
It was a nice service and a great tribute to Tom. I'm so glad you got family pictures and the sibling pictures too. Grandma Carolyn and Savannah is a precious picture.
Those are some really cute pictures! It sounds like it was a really nice service and he was remembered well. Fun to see their whole family together. I think that is the first picture I have ever seen of them.
Post a Comment