Gary Michael (Mike) Harrison

Mike was born July 3, 1 946, in Rainelle, West Virginia, to Donald C. Harrison and Zelda F. Harrison. At age five, his family moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico. He graduated from Carlsbad Senior High School in 1964, and received an AA degree from Trinidad State Junior College, Trinadad, Colorado, in 1966. He was drafted into the Army in 1968; served in Vietnam and Germany, then returned home to finish a BS degree at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He also received his commission through the Army ROTC program. He served as a signal officer until 1997, and with the rank of LTC, he retired from the Army at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.

While studying at NMSU, he met and married Cathy Meadors. They had two children, Greg and Heather. Mike and Cathy were married almost 51 years.

Michael grew up a Southern Baptist. His father was a minister and his hero. He had an older sister and brother. Mike was very active in the church until about age fifteen. Typical of many preacher's kids, he discovered interests other than God and strayed from the church. After his experience in the Vietnam War, and his marriage to Cathy, he rediscovered his faith and belief in God. He subsequently became active in a variety of ministries: the Officers' Christian Fellowship throughout his military career; men's lay ministry at a local Baptist church; taught adult Sunday School; was a scoutmaster for over twenty years; and was ordained a deacon in the Southern Baptist denomination.

In 2005, Mike attended an Academy retreat and discovered he was a Methodist. He officially became a Methodist in 2006. At Coker Methodist Church, he served as a director of the Emmaus community, a lay speaker and adult Sunday school teacher.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Zelda Harrison; and his sister, Darlene A Moutray.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy; son, Gregory Harrison and wife Joanna; daughter, Heather Harrison-Bernier and husband Alec; and three grandchildren, Eleanor Rose and Ruth Ann Harrison; and Ezra Alexander Bernier.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, or to Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM), 110 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, Texas 78215.

Services will be held on August 8, 2025, at Coker Methodist Church, 231 E North Loop Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216, at 9:15 am, followed by a procession to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, and a graveside service with full military honors at 11:00 a.m.