CARY LEE "TOM" HARRISON
April 15, 1949-April 19, 2013
DURHAM -- Cary Lee "Tom" Harrison, 64, went to be with his Lord on Friday, April 19, 2013, at the Durham VA Hospital surrounded by his family.
Tom was born in Wayne County on April 15, 1949, to the late Harry Lee Harrison and Martha Ellen Turnage Harrison.
He began his career in law enforcement with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and later served as the chief of police for the Village of Walnut Creek. Tom retired from Walnut Creek after 19 years of service and was the recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the governor of North Carolina for his dedicated service to this community.
He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was a charter member of a Success Beyond Vietnam group, where he shared a special brotherhood with other fellow Vietnam veterans. Tom was the founding commandant of the Marine Corps League Waynesborough Detachment 1350. He received the Distinguished Service Medal from the league in June 2012.
Tom lived a life of dedication to his family, friends and to his community. He was a charter member of United In Christ Church. Tom was devoted to his church and was involved in many activities where he shared the love of God. We were blessed by the love of a truly honorable, compassionate and humble man, who touched the lives of many people.
A service celebrating Tom's life will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at United In Christ Church, with the Rev. Ira Williford officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will be held Monday, April 22, 2013, at 11 a.m. in Fairview Cemetery, LaGrange, N.C.
Tom is survived by his wife of 35 years, Diane Phipps Harrison; his children, Tonia Harrison, Jeff Henderson and wife, Liza and Tamara Toner and husband, Terry; grandchildren, Nicolas, Abigail, Olivia and James; and brothers, Harry Kenneth Harrison and wife, Cathy and Rocky Lynn Harrison and wife, Mary. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Tammie Harrison, Larry and Janet Phipps, Wiley and Mary Phipps and Anna Gardner.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother, Greg Harrison; sisters, Barbara Jean Aultman, Ann Mooring and Kaye Rackley; and his brother-in-law, Thedie Gardner.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be given to the North Carolina Brain Injury Association, P.O. Box 10912, Raleigh, N.C., 27605.
The family will receive friends Sunday, April 21, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m. at United In Christ Church and other times at his home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 21, 2013 10:36 AM