Eugene Talbot "Gene" Harrison III

1937 - 2025

Born to Eugene and Minnie Harrison, Jr. on April 1, 1937, Gene was a lifelong learner with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He was humble, kind, and welcoming to everyone he met, especially his family. He embraced each son-in-law with open arms and an open heart. Gene reunited with his beloved Carol Anne and received his heavenly reward on June 1, 2025.

Gene possessed the rare and incredible ability to access both sides of his brain: the analytic side AND the creative side. Embracing both sides, Gene pursued these passions throughout this life. His learning never ceased. Whether it was a book in every room that he was actively reading or whistling an indeterminate tune, Gene loved his life and everything that came with it.

As the only child of only children, Gene learned independence and the importance of education. His father was a master engineer on the railroad which taught Gene the importance of hard work, providing for his family, and a strong desire for a formal education. He received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech followed by his master's degrees from the University of Virginia. While at Georgia Tech, he met his beloved, Carol Anne on a blind date hayride. From that day on, Gene was wholeheartedly devoted to Carol Anne and the life they built and shared together for over 60 years. The child of only children, Gene longed for a family of his own. His faithfulness and devotion to Carol Anne spanned over 60 years and was a beautiful, loving example to witness for everyone they met.

Throughout their marriage, he learned about true love and loyalty. The child of only children, Gene longed for a family of his own. As the loving and supportive father of three smart and unique daughters: Dawn, Ansley and Shelley, he learned to live in a house full of women and handled it with grace. His artistic side made sure that each Sunday the sashes on his daughters' dresses were tied in perfect bows. His analytical side dove into the Bible each week as an adult Sunday School teacher. His curiosity and desire for learning led him to immerse himself into studying the Bible. He did extensive research on the Dead Seas scrolls and delighted in the opportunity to share what he learned with others by teaching adult Sunday school classes packed with enthusiastic students/friends.

Gene worked for the Medical College of Georgia for over 30 years leading the IT Department. He began his career during the infancy of computer technology. He dove head first into the possibilities of computers, sharing his ever growing knowledge of the topic at work and at home. The family's first home computer was a marvel to them all. He spent hours learning the new device, the Mac, and shared his discoveries with his four girls. As technology evolved, it opened up more opportunities for his life of learning. Once retired, his passion for learning was redirected to the study of genealogy. He loved researching online to uncover all he could about the roots of his family tree. Raised in a small family, Gene longed for connection with his familial roots. His research led him to discover ancestors who also had a deep desire for learning that emboldened them to explore the New World. Not only did Gene learn about his European ancestry and the beginnings of his family, he also learned about living relatives he did not know even existed. In his sixties, he discovered and met his Aunt Marianne who had grown up only a few towns away from him unbeknownst to him. When they reconnected, Gene found joy and fulfillment in knowing he was not the only branch left on the family tree.

After spending long days at the office diving into everything technology and sharing it with others, Gene took solace in the artistic side of his brain. In college, he became an accomplished watercolor artist. That artistic talent and interest led him to study stained glass making. Stained glass gave him another opportunity to learn and share his artistic side. He never stopped learning and honing his techniques. As a painter and sketch artist, he took his art to the next level by creating his own designs and patterns. He would come home each evening and, after catching up with his beloved, he would spend hours out in his studio experimenting with and perfecting his art. He learned about different types of glass and how they affected an art piece. He took his artistic passion and his family all over The South to craft fairs where he sold his art and did live demonstrations of his techniques to share his knowledge and passion for the art of stained glass with others. Gene experimented with a multitude of techniques and materials he could incorporate into his designs. The results were amazing! He spent over 50 years honing his craft and bringing joy to all the recipients of his work. During that time, he created thousands of pieces of stained glass art that solidified his artistic legacy in many homes.

His desire for learning never ceased. In retirement he joined several art guilds and research/historical organizations to satiate his ever growing thirst for knowledge. Once his daughters were married and starting their own families, he and Carol Anne traveled the world exploring and expanding their knowledge of every destination they visited. As he grew older with his beloved, he learned how to care for them both while continuing to be a source of comfort and strength to his daughters and their families. He taught everyone whose lives he touched that love, loyalty, integrity, curiosity, and family are the true foundations of a fulfilling life.

Gene leaves behind a legacy and love and learning as the loving father of 3 daughters and their husbands (Dawn and Johnny Melin, Ansley and Michael Evans, and Shelley and Will Henslee), the silly granddad to 6 grandchildren (Lydia and Austin Porter, Brittney Evans, Victoria and Melvin Robinson, Wesley Evans. Ella Henslee, and Harrison Henslee) , and the blessed great-grandfather of Thomas Porter.

A memorial service will be held on October 4, 2025 at 1pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Augusta, GA. All are welcome!