James Harrison

James E. (Jim) Harrison, was born in Brownwood, Texas on the 15th of November 1924 to William Bryan and Marie Ramsey Harrison. He graduated from Brownwood High School in 1941 and enlisted with the U. S. Marine Corps on the 5th of December 1942. He served in the Southeast Pacific as a Staff Sergeant in Air Force Combat Intelligence. After separating from the Service, Jim obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geology from Texas Christian University in 1950. Jim also completed Stanford University's Executive Program in 1974.
In the fall of 1952, Jim was set up on a blind date with Ruth Mann, a young travel agent who reminded Jim of raven-haired film star Linda Darnell. After courting for 10 months they were married on the 15th of August 1953. Jim said he chose the 15th because he "had to wait for payday to afford the honeymoon." Ruth was to be his one and only love for the rest of his life.
In July of 1954, Ruth and Jim had their own raven-haired beauty with the birth of their daughter Debra. Then in June of 1955 they had their first son, Richard. In December of 1961 they had their second son John, followed by their second daughter Kim in 1965. By far, the saddest moment in Jim's life was the death of Debra on the 30th of August 2010.
In August of 1950 Jim joined Stanolind, a predecessor of Amoco (now BP). Over the next 33 1/2 years Jim had a distinguished career with the Company serving as District Geophysicist, Division Geophysicist, Chief Geophysicist, Division Exploration Manager and finishing out his career with the Company as Exploration Manager for Central & South America and the Far East. Not even 60 years old, Jim was asked to spend "a few hours a week for a few months" evaluating U. S. exploration prospects for the French oil company Total Minitome. For the next 7 years and on a full-time basis Jim consulted directly with Total's then President Jean Pierre Donnet.
Jim believed that it is ones duty and obligation to be of maximum service to God, Country, and ones Fellow Man. As such, Jim was very involved with Chapelwood United Methodist Church serving on the Administrative Board, ushering for 33 years at the 8:25 Sunday Service, and teaching Sunday School. Jim was a long-time member of the Candle Lighter's Sunday School Class. In 2010, Jim and Ruth were elected to be Lifetime Members of the Board of Stewards. Jim served his neighborhood as a member and later as President of the Tealwood Home-owner's Association and for over 20 years served as an elections clerk in the neighborhood precinct. Jim also served as a Troop Leader for the Boy Scouts of America. An avid supporter of Texas Christian University, Jim was named to the The Addison and Randolph Clark Society, was active in TCU fund-raising, and funded the Jim and Ruth Harrison Scholarship for geology students. Jim was active in professional organizations most notably the Society of Exploration Geophysicists where he served as a Trustee Associate at the time of his death and funded a scholarship. For the last 20 years, Jim was a supporter and a participant in The Texas Foundation for Archaeology & Historical Research.
While Jim traveled the globe many times over, met heads of state, and stayed at the finest hotels and private residences, he preferred being in his beloved Texas with his family, tent camping next to a roaring campfire. He hoped heaven would be like Texas.
While in gradually declining health Jim was physically active until the week before his death. Always in the solution, Jim was evaluated by therapists and the day before his death Jim committed to a 4 week at home physical rehabilitation program and was looking forward to the task stating, "I think I have another year or two in me." He died peacefully and uneventfully in his sleep as an optimistic winner.
In addition to his wife and three children, Jim is survived by grandchildren, Sean Stearns, Bryan Harrison, Sarah Harrison Heinchon, Harrison Townsend, Kathleen Townsend, and Phillips Townsend. He is also survived by daughter in law, Holly Harrison; son in law, Anthony Townsend; granddaughter- in- law, Johnnie Stearns; grandson- in- law, Kyle Heinchon; great granddaughter, Shannon Stearns; and former son in law Mike Stearns.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 4th of January, in the Parlor of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
The funeral service is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 5th of January, in the Sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay in Houston, where Dr. Jim Jackson, Senior Pastor, and Dr. Kelly Williams, Pastor Emeritus, are to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Fellowship Hall.
Honored to serve as casket bearers during the services are Dan Myhaver, William Burdette, Sean Stearns, Bryan Harrison, Harrison Townsend and Kyle Heinchon.
At a later date, the family will gather for a private interment at Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood, TX.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that contributions in memory of Mr. Harrison be directed to the Chapelwood Foundation, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, TX, 77024; or to the charity of one's choice.