Jack Smith Harrison

Jack Smith Harrison, 82, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2019. Jack was born in Malvern, Arkansas on January 21, 1937 to J.R. “Jack” and Natalee Harrison. He attended Central High School graduating in 1955. His first year of college was at OBU on a basketball scholarship and then he transferred to play basketball at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas graduating in 1959 and then received his masters from NSU. He began his teaching career at Hilldale teaching 6th grade for one year. He then became the assistant to his former high school basketball coach at Central High as well as a history and geography teacher. In 1966 he left teaching to work at the family business, Harrison Oil and Tire Co. which he operated until 1997. In 1999 he returned to the classroom at Connors State College for a few years and then moved back to Muskogee High School as a teacher and coach, retiring in 2009. That year the City of Muskogee honored Jack by declaring May 24, “Coach Jack Harrison Day.” It didn't take long before he decided that he was not ready for retirement and went on to teach and coach for Hilldale Public Schools for five more years. Jack and Linda were married on September 11, 1981 and spent the next 37 years raising their children together, working, and attending First Baptist Church in Muskogee, Ok. During these years Jack and Linda enjoyed traveling around the world, spending time with their family, starting traditions like Camp Harrison with their grandchildren, and art camp with their great grandchildren. Jack is survived by his wife, Linda Harrison, son, Jody Harrison; daughter, Andi Thompson and husband Bobby; son, Jeff Cole and wife Susan; daughter, Stacy Burns and husband Jon; daughter-in-law, Susan Zook; granddaughters, Katherine and husband Donald Mayo, Emily and husband Kyle Upchurch, Alex Crim, and grandson, Jackson Crim; great-grandchildren, Harrison, Hudson, Grayson, and Jackson Upchurch, Jess Mayo; sister, Gail Gerard and husband Joe; niece, Layne Keenan; and nephew, Michael Huckabay, along with other family members and friends. The family will be receiving friends at Cornerstone Funeral Home from 5:30-7:30PM, Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Funeral services will be at 2PM, Thursday, May 30, 2019 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Johnny Derouen officiating.

Jack Smith Harrison

January 21, 1937 - May 24, 2019