Eric E. Harrison

Harrison, Eric E.

passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord on November 1, 2025 at his home in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on July 4, 1943 in Louisville, Kentucky to Charles and Amelley Harrison, Eric brought his own uniqueness to the world on Independence Day. He attended Kentucky Country Day School, where he graduated at just 17 as a National Merit Scholar semi-finalist. While there, he founded the school's chess league - the second high school chess league in the state of Kentucky.

After graduating from Rollins College, Eric attended the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiology. at Tampa General Hospital, where his lifelong commitment to helping others truly began.

In 1972, Eric and his associates founded the paramedic services for Tampa Fire Rescue, and a few years later, in 1977, they established Hillsborough County EMS. For his pioneering work creating these emergency services, he was awarded a key to the City of Tampa, an honor that reflected both his innovation and his heart for community service.

Eric began his career as co-chair of the cardiac catheterization lab at Tampa General, performing thousands of heart procedures. Later, he shifted his focus from invasive cardiology to non-invasive imaging, always eager to explore new frontiers in cardiovascular care.

Teaching was one of Eric's greatest joys. He loved mentoring students, interns, residents, and fellows, sharing both his knowledge and compassion. Over the years, he wrote hundreds of presentations, articles and even a cardiology textbook - but his favorite was a book he wrote just for his grandchildren, A Pig's Christmas Story.

Eric was brilliant, kind, and endlessly curious. He was a rule breaker in the best way - always thinking outside the box, always questioning how things could be done better. If you were lucky enough to know him, you were his friend for life.

He practiced cardiology for more than 50 years, guided by a deep passion for medicine and an even deeper faith in Jesus Christ. Eric often said that any success he achieved belonged to God. Among his many honors, one he cherished most was being inducted into the Hall of Fame by the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS) for his contribution to the field.

Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Amelley Harrison. He is survived by Margaret, his devoted wife of 51 years; huis children, Alexis ( Rick), Brett, and Trent (Michelle); his five beloved grandchildren, Caleb, Claire and Abby Laverty and Amara and Everly Harrison; and his sister, Dolly Harrison. He will be deeply missed.

A gathering for family and friends to celebrate Eric's life will be held at a later date.

Quinn Shalz Funeral Home & Cremation Centre

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