J.L. Harrison

Funeral service for J.L Harrison will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Claremore Church of The Nazarene. Pastor Mark Hiehle will officiate. Burial will follow at the Old Adair Cemetery under the direction of the MMS-Payne Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Mon. 1-8 p.m., and family will greet friends 6-8 p.m.

James Leonard "J.L." Harrison passed away Thursday, December 11, 2014 at his home in Claremore at the age of 83.

The son of Everette Leonard and Gladys Lorene James Harrison was born September 21, 1931 in Adair, Oklahoma. There he was raised and attended Adair High School graduating with the class of 1949. A short time after graduation J.L. met Irma McKinzie. They married January 21, 1952. At the time J.L. was working for American Airlines so they made their home in Tulsa. Wanting to move back closer to family he and Irma moved to Claremore in the late 1950's. J.L. then took a job working for Meadow Gold Milk as a delivery driver in the Claremore area. A few years later he would accept a position as a Claremore Firefighter. He served the Claremore community for over 20 years before retiring as a captain in 1995. Retirement was a great fit for J.L. It gave him the much needed time to concentrate on one of his favorite pastimes of fishing. J.L. also loved helping people. Throughout his life he has taken in friends and family in his home during their times of need. He has also donated blood countless times to the American Red Cross, and was nearing the 20 gallon mark when he had to quit due to illness. When his family and friends were in need he was always there to help. Spending time outdoors was also important to him. He loved cutting wood on his land, riding his motorcycle as part of the Recycled Motorcycle Club and of course more fishing.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Everette and Lorene Harrison; wife Irma Dean Harrison and infant son, Danny Joe Harrison; sisters: Nova Lee Gay and Vivian Marie Ray; and brothers: Joe Harrison and Carl Ray Harrison.

J.L. is survived by his son, Randy and wife Betty Harrison; daughter, Kathy Crutchfield; Granddaughters: Kristi and husband Tony Mariezcurrena of Chelsea, Rose and husband Marcus Pepi of Lakeside California, Lori and husband Matthew Wilson of Lakeside, California, and Codi and husband Tony Ruth of Claremore; grandson, Jared Starkey; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters: Betty Rose Walkingstick and husband, Estel of Muskogee, Linda Kay Thomas and husband, Steve of Houston, Donna Sue Osborn and husband, Gail of Adair, two sisters-in-law: Carmen Harrison of Claremore and Donna Harrison of Adair; and brothers: Allen Harrison and wife, Tena of Claremore, and Mike Harrison and wife, Jet of Adair.