James Monroe Harrison

James Monroe Harrison James Monroe Harrison passed away Sept. 14, 2008, in Tallahassee. He was born in Opp, Ala., on Sept. 17, 1928, to Anna Meeks Harrison and George Holland Harrison and grew up in Quincy, Fla. As a teenager during World War II, he worked at Camp Gordon Johnson near Carrabelle. He attended Gadsden High School where he played on the football team. After graduating in 1946, he attended Bowling Green Business University in Bowling Green, Ky. He returned to Tallahassee to work with his father at Tallahassee Furniture Company, where he remained for 42 years. He ultimately became president of the company, which included Gadsden Furniture Company in Quincy, Jefferson Furniture Company in Monticello and Alfred Holland Furniture. He founded Landmark Furniture Galleries, and, along with his brother George H. Harrison Jr., founded Big Bend Truck Center. He was also an owner of Harrison Auto Parts. After retiring from the furniture business in 1986, he became an avid golfer, as did his wife, Kathryn Boykin Harrison. They enjoyed spending time at Alligator Point, on Lake Seminole and, most recently, in the Appalachian foothills of north Georgia. He was an avid fan of FSU football. Until he fell ill in 2007, he earned new respect as the devoted caregiver for his wife of 58 years. James was a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. He then became a member of East Hill Baptist Church, later attending Bradfordville First Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church of Blairsville, Ga. In addition to his wife, Kathryn, survivors include two daughters, Jan Harrison Lear (and husband Tom) of Thomasville, Ga., and Lucy Harrison Harris (and husband Fred) of Quincy, and two sons who live in Tallahassee, George Holland Harrison III (and wife Joni) and James Monroe Harrison Jr. He has seven grandchildren: Catherine Fleming Blair (and husband Brian) of Orlando; Holle Fleming Roberts (and husband Matthew) of Valdosta, Ga.; Riley Monroe Harris of London, UK; Kathryn "Katie" Marie Harris of Boston, Mass.; Jamie Lynn Harrison of Auburn, Ala.; and James "Trey" Monroe Harrison III and Timmons Payne Cook of Tallahassee. He has one great-grandchild, Wilson Monroe Blair, with the second expected to arrive in October. He is also survived by a special nephew, Jim Pfeil, and his wife, Cathy. James was predeceased by his parents; his brother; his sister, Jean Harrison Pfeil; and an infant daughter, Catherine Monroe Harrison. The family will receive visitors at the home of George and Joni Harrison, 3535 N. Meridian Road, from 6 to 8 p.m. EDT Thursday, Sept. 18. A graveside service will be 11 a.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 19, at Roselawn Cemetery, Piedmont Road, Tallahassee. Bevis Funeral Home in Tallahassee (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com ) is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in his honor to the TMH Foundation – Ride for Hope, 1331 E. Sixth Ave., Tallahassee FL 32303, or to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308-5428, The family is grateful for the loving care provided by Charlene Bell, Melissa Jones, Tia Hodges, Curtis Scott and the kind staff of Big Bend Hospice.