Colonel (Ret.) Richard Emil Harrison
Colonel (Ret.) Richard Emil Harrison, 86, of Creedmoor, passed February 23, 2024, after many years of living with the devastating effects of Parkinson’s Disease. Richard was born July 29, 1937, at Fort Sam Houston Medical Center, San Antonio, to Lee Frank Harrison and Hilda Merz Harrison. He was the youngest of eight children and was extremely proud of his military family. His father served in World Wars I and II, his two brothers had military careers, and his five sisters married career military men.
Richard retired from the Adjutant General’s Department in 1993 with more than 35 years of military service in the Texas National Guard. He was a life member of the National Guard Association of Texas serving one term as President of the Association in addition to serving many years as President of the Education Foundation of NGAT. A charter member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Richard was Chairman of the Administrative Board for many years. He was elected and served as councilman for the Creedmoor City Council for more than 12 years, was an officer of Cosmopolitan Civic Club of Austin, and enjoyed many years participating as a member of Creedmoor Community Center Friends Association.
Richard is predeceased by his parents and brother Cecil Harrison and four sisters – Dorothy Butler, Ida Mae Smith, Bettye Renfroe, and Imogene Wright. He is survived by his wife of 64 years of marriage, Nancy Harrison, daughter Melissa McDermott and son-in-law Mark McDermott, son Scott Harrison, grandson Ryan McDermott and wife Laura, grandson Matthew McDermott and his fiancée Pamela Hildebrand, great grandsons Oliver and George McDermott. Survivors include step grandchildren Heather Huston and husband Chris and their daughter D’Laynee, Sean McDermott and wife Sarah and their children Will and Avery. Richard is also survived by brother James R. Harrison, sister Joanne Storey, numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Saturday, March 2, at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, with visitation at 11:00 a.m., service at 1:00 p.m., and burial in Live Oak Cemetery. Following interment, friends and family are invited to the Creedmoor Community Center, 12511 FM 1625, Creedmoor, for a meal.
Memorials may be made to the NGAT Educational Foundation Scholarship Fund, National Guard Association of Texas, 3706 Crawford Avenue, Austin, Texas 78731, or to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 7206 Creedmoor Road, Austin, TX 78719.
The family is grateful for caregivers Annita and Kimberly from Heavenly Care and for the compassionate care given by Brittis, Gracie, Mary, and Bruce of the Enhabit Hospice group.