HARRISON, Herbert Paul "Herb" - b. August 29, 1926 - d. November 23, 2017

[patyrn]

Herbert Paul Harrison, age 91, passed away November 23, 2017 from Alzheimer' disease.  He was born on August 29, 1926 near Fowler, Kansas to Harry Martin Harrison and Ola Almyra (Brown) Harrison.

Herb was the youngest of nine children.  He was married October 18, 1947 to Lula Mae "Billy" Billings in Wichita, Kansas.  This year marked their 70th wedding anniversary.  Herb graduated from Mulvane High School in Mulvane, Kansas in 1944.  After serving in the United States Navy from 1944-1946, he attended Wichita University from 1946-1950 where he studied Liberal Arts.  He was a remarkable athlete, excelling in football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and track in high school and continuing to play football in college.

Herb was no stranger to hard work.  In high school, he milked cows before and after class and worked the railroad.  In college, he started as a delivery boy at Hawk's Pharmacy, ultimately becoming President.  Herb and his partners sold Hawk's Pharmacy, and Herb went on to start a career in construction.  He was a Charter member of the Andover Kiwanis Club in Andover, Kansas, served for 18 years on the Andover School Board, was a 32nd degree Mason, was a member of the Andover and Howard United Methodist Churches, and was a member of Boy Scout Troop #533.  He started a Registered Angus cattle herd while living in Andover, now in its 52nd year, and was Beef leader in the Andover Aces 4-H Club.  With close friend, Don Swaney, he started the Swa-Har Pheasant Farm, raising ornamental pheasants and quail at the homeplace in Andover.  Herb also enjoyed bee keeping, his fruit orchard, and grape arbors. 

In 1971, Herb and Billy bought a section of ground in Elk County and embarked on a new journey.  They moved to Howard, Kansas after retiring in 1992.  While living in Elk County, Herb served on the Elk County Water District and helped frame the rural water now enjoyed by so many.  He also served on the Kansas Wind Farm task force, was a Silver Hair legislator, and is responsible for implementing the recycling program in Elk County, Kansas and attended the county commission meetings regularly. 

Herb's life was his faith and family, and he loved to share his passions with them.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing near Crested Butte, Colorado, so every year the family would make the pilgrimage to their favorite fishing spots.  He taught all of his children and grandchildren to fly fish here, and it became a lasting tradition.  His family still returns to this spot every year.  Herb also enjoyed a wide array of music, and he almost always had an album spinning, giving all his children a deep appreciation for it. 

Survivors include his wife, Lula May "Billy" Harrison; his children and their spouses, Cyril Reed Harrison (Peggy), Paul Barry Harrison (Carolyn), John Mark Harrison, William Eric Harrison, Leslie Ann Eldem (Brian), Kelly Brian Harrison (Tanja), and Nancy Lou Gorton (Michael); 18 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.   
Herb is preceded in death by his parents and all eight of his siblings and their spouses.

Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Andover United Methodist Church, 1429 N. Andover Road, Andover, Kansas.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Herbert Paul Harrison and Lula May "Billy" Harrison Memorial Scholarship Fund at Wichita State Foundation, 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, Kansas 67260.  Baker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

(published in the Wichita Eagle - 11/29/2017)