Thomas Lee Harrison

Thomas Lee Harrison

Cedar Rapids

Thomas Lee Harrison, aka Tom to most, aka Frog to high school friends, died peacefully Friday morning, December 20, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 78. Services include visitation on Thursday, December 26, 2024, from 4-6 pm in the Chapel State Room at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. The Memorial Service will be held Friday, December 27, 2024, at 10 am, in the Chapel of Memories at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Tom was born on May 3, 1946, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Clyde and Opal Harrison. He graduated as a proud JHawk from Jefferson High School in 1964. As #33, he was running back on the JHawk 1963 MVC Championship team. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Iowa where he became a proud Hawkeye for life.

During the summer of 1965, Uncle Sam interrupted his college endeavors by asking him to join the Army. During his induction to the Army in Des Moines, Uncle Sam offered him an honorable discharge if he would reenlist for three years instead of being drafted for two. For this, the Army would train him in a skill of his choice, and Tom, seeing this could be a benefit in the Vietnam era, chose to reenlist for three years and went on to radio repair school.... before going to Vietnam.

The summer of 1965 was eventful in another way. Tom met Charlene at his part time job and hangout, May City Lanes. They struck up a long distance, writing relationship as he went off to the Army. Before he went to Vietnam, he asked Charlene to marry him and, of course she said yes. While he was in Vietnam, she planned the wedding. Two weeks after he came home from Vietnam they were married and started a life together that lasted 57 years, 2 months and 20 days.

After his second honorable discharge from the Army, Tom worked several part time jobs while going to Kirkwood Community College and Mount Mercy College where he graduated with a BA in mathematics/secondary education. With that in tow, he went to work at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, ITT in Florida, Virginia, and Georgia, Aerojet Ordnance in Tennessee, and Alliant Energy and ITC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Tom didn’t work all the time. He enjoyed bowling, golf, boating on his pontoon, fishing, hunting with his dad, HO model trains, jigsaw puzzles, playing cards and NCIS. Favorite times were spent at the yearly Harrison Reunion, on the beach in Florida, on cruises through the Panama Canal and around Hawaii, taking Charlene to tennis tournaments (actually he was a very good sport about doing that), breakfast with Jefferson Class of 64 classmates, and spending time with family and friends, but his true passion was puttering around, in the garage, in the yard, in his train room, that is where he was content.

Tom is survived by his wife, Charlene, daughter Julie Brown; son Brian Harrison and Brian’s wife Betsy; grandchildren Chase Harrison, Lexi Harrison, Savannah Brown, Allen Brown; sisters Sandra Frank and Sue Person; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Special to his heart were cousin/semi-brother, John R Carrithers, godsons John A Carrithers, Brad Koch and goddaughter Lindsey Janda.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Charles Harrison, son-in-law Al Brown; and grandson Rusty Brown.

Tom’s family would like to thank ALL the caregivers at the West Ridge Care Facility in Cedar Rapids, his home for the past three years. You took care of him with compassion and dignity and for that his family will be forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorials be given to the Alzheimer’s Association, Unity Point Hospice, or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences are welcome at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.