John Arthur Harrison

John Arthur Harrison of Richland, MI




John, age 72, passed away peacefully Saturday evening, November 16, 2013 at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, MI, following many years of chronic illness.

John was born September 13, 1941 in Dearborn, Michigan the son of James and Doris (Mumford) Harrison. He was raised in Cheboygan, Michigan and was one of the youngest men ever to work on the Mackinac Bridge during its construction. In 1959, John graduated from Cheboygan High school where he also lettered 3 years in basketball and in July, John enlisted in the United States Navy. In September of that same year, he wed his wife of 54 years, Patricia Lea Snorf, who survives. The two moved to Kalamazoo soon after and John began his 34 year career in the paper making industry. One of his proudest accomplishments was orchestrating the building of the K-1 paper machine at Graphic Packaging.

During his recreational time as a young man, John enjoyed golfing and bowling. After moving to Richland in 1969, he spent hours as co-commissioner and coach of the YMCA Town and Country Richland Little League program and then in later years, organized the Gull Lake Rocket Football program.

John was an avid sportsman, traveling Michigan to hunt and fish. In his later years he spent many weekends at Lake Michigan in Saugatuck on his boat the "James E" fishing salmon and relaxing with family and friends. In his retirement, he enjoyed going to his grandchildren's events, researching family ancestry, spending time with his dog, Molly, fishing on Gull Lake and wintering at his Florida residence.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his aunts and uncle, Francis Fish and Almo and Norman Smith; fathers and mother-in-law, Burl Snorf, Glenn and Mary Knapp and sisters-in-law Linda Carrick and Laura Harrison.

In addition to Patricia, John is survived by his children, Holly Nichols, William (Jill Black) Harrison and Anne Marie (Christopher) Quartermaine; grandsons, Ray Nichols, Cameron and Jamie Harrison, Cooper and Trenton Quartermaine; granddaughter, Lindsey McCollough; great-grandsons, Jesse and RJ Nichols; brothers, James (Joann), Donald (Joann) and Andrew Harrison; a sister, Marion Harrison; in-laws, Denny and Jody Harrison, Ronald Carrick; several nieces and nephews and many close friends.

The Memorial Service to celebrate John's life will be held on Friday, November 22nd at Noon at the Gull Lake United Methodist Church, 8640 Gull Road, Richland 49083 with the Rev. Dr. Mona K. Joslyn, Pastor, officiating. Friends will be received from 10:30 a.m. until service time. Family and friends are invited to continue John's life celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon immediately following the service in the Church Social Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's honor may be directed to The Salvation Army, 1700 S. Burdick Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 or the Gull Lake United Methodist Church. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel (269-629-6022) is in charge of all the arrangements.