Joseph H. Harrison

Joseph H. Harrison, 86, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at his home.

Joe was born on July 23, 1929 in Evansville to the late Homer W. Harrison and Isabelle (Heavrin) Harrison.

Joe graduated from Reitz Memorial High School in 1947 serving as the Yearbook Editor.  He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with an A.B. degree in Economics in 1951 and from law school at the University of Notre Dame in 1953 serving as Yearbook Editor for the Notre Dame Lawyer.  While attending Notre Dame, Joe appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show several times as a member of the Notre Dame Glee Club. Joe founded a dance band  as a trumpeter that played throughout the tristate area when he was just 14 years old and continued through his college years.

Joe was an Army veteran and was admitted and practiced law in the State of Indiana and in the District of Columbia.  As a member of the Evansville Bar Association, Indiana State Bar Association and the American Bar Association, he was a co-founder and incorporator of the Legal Aid Society of Evansville on October 17, 1958.

He was a founding member and managing partner of Bowers Harrison, LLP in Evansville and he retired a year and a half ago after practicing law for 60 years.

Joe was also an owner of the local Hardee’s Restaurant franchise, having been one of the initial owners of Sandy’s Restaurant’s (now Hardee’s) back in 1963.

Former Indiana Governor Robert Orr appointed Joe to the Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) in 1982 and he served on ORSANCO up until 2014.  He was chairman of ORSANCO in 1986 and 1987, and was a Commissioner on ORSANCO longer than any other person, serving for 32 years.

He was a member of the Evansville Country Club, serving as President of the Board of Directors in 1976.  Joe was also a member of Oak Meadow County Club, the Kennel Club, Central Turners, Evansville Petroleum Club and many other local organizations.  He was instrumental in the Peaceful Brothers Organization and was a long time member of the Indiana Society of Chicago.

He was actively involved in local, regional and national Republican Party politics, having luncheons with former President George H. Bush and other dignitaries at his home on Browning Rd. He also served on the Vanderburgh County Election Board as a member and as President.  He served on the Board for the Evansville-Vanderburgh Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for many years. Among other honors, Joe received a Sagemore of the Wabash Award and was a Kentucky Colonel.

He was a former pilot and he especially liked to travel and read a good book by the pool. He was an avid Notre Dame fan, an enthusiastic golfer and was known for his dapper dress and appearance.  He was extremely outgoing and was very kind and generous to others.

Joe is survived by his wife of 40 years, Julie; his son, Joseph H. Harrison, Jr. of Evansville, his daughters, Sara A. (Rob) Howard of Tampa, Florida and Meghann E. Harrison of Evansville; stepdaughter, Jill Ware of Evansville, stepson John P. “Jack” Lutz of Evansville, grandchildren;  Joseph H. Harrison, III, Jordan Ware, Cooper Ware and Blake Ware, nephew, James P. Ghiglieri Jr., nieces; Catherine Ghiglieri and Carol Winchester.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Dorthiana Harrison Ghiglieri, and a cousin and close friend, Al Harding Jr.

 

The family would like to thank Dr. Douglas Hatler, Bertha Vance and the staff of Horizon Home Health Care for their exceptional care.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville, IN 47714. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 7, 2016 at the funeral home and will continue with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Ted Tempel officiating. Burial will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Albion Fellows Bacon Center, 650 Judson St, Evansville, IN 47713 or to St. Benedict Cathedral 1328 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714.