George Henry Harrison

George Henry Harrison, 82, of Brewton, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2015 at his residence. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lettie Pearson Harrison, daughter Teresa (Keith) Caudle of Hoover, Alabama, son, Mark Harrison of Brewton, granddaughter Abby (Jimmy) Bohler of Woodstock, Georgia and grandson, Neil (Emily) Caudle of Homewood, Alabama. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Lee Harrison, mother, Irene Brewer Harrison and sister, Evelyne Harrison McCollum.

George was born in Rockmart, Georgia. He attended Rockmart High School, where he played on the 1950 National Championship Rockmart Football Team. He went to the University of Kentucky on football scholarship where he played for Coach Paul Bear Bryant. George completed his Bachelor of Science Degree with a double major in mathematics and physics from North Georgia College in 1954.

George and Lettie met while working at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Marietta, Georgia where he was a flight test engineer. They married in 1956. In 1963, they moved to Florida where George worked for RCA at Cape Canaveral on the inertial guidance system that would guide the early manned space flights. In 1965 George joined Boeing Corporation in Huntsville, Alabama to work on man’s first lunar landing.

In 1969, George moved his family to Brewton, Alabama where he worked for Container Corporation of America for 20 years, implementing computerized automation. In 1989, George joined the U.S. Army Missile Command in Huntsville, Alabama, working on the HAWK and TOW Missile Defense Systems. He retired in 1999 and returned to live in Brewton. George and Lettie have resided in Brewton for a total of 36 years.

George was a founding member of Harbor City Baptist Church in Eau Gallie, Florida. He was ordained as a deacon at Sherwood Park Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama. At First Baptist Church of Brewton, George served as a deacon, a member of the pastor search committee and the nursery director.

In Brewton, George established the first Pee Wee Football team in 1969. His teams won several championships and Coach Harrison taught them about character, commitment, discipline and teamwork. He also coached youth baseball and officiated high school football.

George dedicated his life to helping other people. He was an athlete, a mathematician, a physicist, a rocket scientist and a coach. But more important to him was being a good son, husband, father, brother and friend. Above all, George sought to please his Heavenly Father by being His servant

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 on Wednesday, September 9 at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama with Reverend Jack Fitts officiating. Visitation will be at 1:00. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Brewton at a later date.