Charles Harrison

HARRISON, Charles Wycliffe "Charlie"

June 25, 1931 - July 15, 2015

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Charles "Charlie" Wycliffe Harrison, who departed this life peacefully on July 15, 2025, at the age of 94, surrounded by those who loved him.

Born on June 25, 1931, at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta to Louise Wycliffe Harrison and James Lawrence Harrison, Jr., Charlie lived a life marked by quiet strength, unwavering integrity, and deep devotion to his family, friends, and community. He was known for his sharp intellect, gentle wit, and the grace and dignity with which he carried himself throughout his life.

To know Charlie was to know his passion for golf which began early, nurtured by the mentorship of the legendary Bobby Jones. By 1947, he had won the Atlanta City Junior Championship. After graduating valedictorian from Marist School, he went on to letter in golf for four consecutive years at Georgia Tech.

A lifelong amateur, Charlie enjoyed a storied career: he won the Atlanta Amateur a record ten times, the Atlanta Athletic Club Championship ten times, and the Atlanta Country Club Championship six times. He also claimed titles at the 1955 Southern Amateur and the 1959 Georgia Amateur.

In 1966, he was ranked the 13th-best amateur golfer in the country, and in 1967, was named an alternate for the U.S. Walker Cup team. Charlie qualified for the U.S. Amateur sixteen times, reaching the quarterfinals in 1959 and finishing fifth in 1972. He was a quarterfinalist in the 1980 British Amateur and competed twice in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National.

He served as a director of the Southern Golf Association and was president of the Atlanta Golf Association from 1971 to 1985. He was inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. He reclaimed the East Lake Club Championship title in 2003, forty years after first winning it in 1964.

In recognition of his enduring impact on the game and the community, East Lake Golf Club named its caddie scholarship in his honor—fondly known as the Harrison Scholarship.

Charlie was more than a champion golfer. He began his professional career with Adair Realty and later worked in the insurance industry with Bill Leide of Leide Associates.

A visionary and beloved figure in the East Lake community, Charlie helped found the East Lake Junior Golf Academy and later, The First Tee of East Lake, bringing "Golf With a Purpose" to life in the heart of his neighborhood. Alongside his devoted wife, Sylvia, he established the Charles W. Harrison Scholarship Fund, which for decades has supported East Lake Golf Club employees, caddies, and Drew Charter School students in pursuing higher education and giving back to their communities—just as Charlie always did.

Through his generosity and vision, hundreds of young people gained not only access to the game of golf but to brighter futures. Charlie had a remarkable gift for bringing people together, for making everyone feel welcome and valued, and for reminding us all why East Lake is such a special place. His wisdom, humor, and presence at the Club will be deeply missed—but his legacy will endure for generations.

Charlie is survived first and foremost by his beloved wife of 45 years, Sylvia Hollis Harrison. He is also lovingly remembered by his daughter, Molly Harrison Smith (Dutch); his stepson, Robert "Trey" Clark Rudder III (Andrea); granddaughters, Jennifer Geeker (Thomas) and Sarah Rudder; sister-in-law, Sandra Kellner; niece, Leigh Dobbs(Willis); nephew, Jared Paul (Kelley); great-nephews, Jack Dobbs and Hollis Dobbs; and great-grandson Clark Geeker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louise and James Lawrence Harrison Jr.; his brother, Father James "Jim" Harrison; and his daughters, Cary Cox Harrison and Helen Michael Harrison.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 8, at 10:30 AM at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur, Georgia. All who knew and loved Charlie are warmly invited to attend and celebrate a life so well lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Charles W. Harrison Scholarship Fund: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E349301&id=2.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to those who cared for and supported Charlie in his later years: Marie Sajous, Raymonde McLaurin, Darrell Hardeman, Harry Hampton, Becky Cousins Burke, Rich Klima, Connie Cousins-Baker, Kathleen Gegen.

Special thanks also go to the dear family and friends who showed unwavering love and friendship to Charlie and Sylvia over the years: Sid Matthews, Mark Brennan, John Stevens, Margie Shine, Catherine Woodling, Chad Parker, Craig Castle, Marty Hagan, June and the late Asa Candler, Ann and the late Pegram Harrison, Anne and Tom Cousins, Lillian Cousins Giornelli, Kevin Dawson and Tim Minard.

May he rest in peace and be remembered always with love and gratitude.