Clyde Allen Harrison Jr.

Clyde was born in Jackson, MS on January 13, 1924. He graduated from Central High School in 1943 and left for service in the Army Air Corps two weeks after receiving his diploma. He wanted to be a “flyboy” and went through basic training and then to other bases before going to Maxwell to preflight school. He was trained to be a crew chief or flight engineer on the B-24. When the B-24 was declared obsolete, he began training on the B-29. He returned to Keesler and then in 1946 to Camp Shelby where he was discharged from the service.

Clyde worked in the Theatre Motion Picture Field and Theatre Stage Productions from 1946-1959. During high school he worked at the Old Joy Theatre and the Pix Theatre which was renamed the Capri. In 1959 he accepted a position at the University of MS Medical Center. This position was to coordinate the installation and future operation of a closed circuit medical television system. He retired in January, 1993 from the medical center as Director of Television and Audio Visual Services. Clyde was a gold card member of the International Alliance Theatrical Stage Employee Local 589.

While living in West Jackson, Clyde met the love of his life, Mayzelle Dunn who he married in 1949 and later both of them became longtime members of Broadmoor Baptist Church. Together they had two children: daughter Linda Harrison Cook and son Clyde Allen Harrison III. Clyde, Mayzelle and the kids spent many week-ends in Bentonia, MS where the cousins met to ski at Wolf Lake. Clyde and the family spent a lifetime of boating and skiing at Lake Hico and the Barnett Reservoir.

Clyde is survived by his daughter Linda and son Allen, two granddaughters, Anna Cook Wansley (Steen) and Jennifer Cook Pigman (Eric); four great grandchildren, Harrison David Pigman, Colton Drew Pigman, Rivers Kate Wansley and William David Wansley.

Clyde was predeceased by his parents Clyde and Agnes Harrison, sister, Betty Hause, wife of 65 years Mayzelle Harrison and son-in-law David W. Cook.

There will be a graveside service for family and close friends on Friday, December 16, at 10:30 a.m. at Parkway Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gateway Rescue Mission or Stewpot Community Services.

Special thanks to the loving care given by the staff at the Palliative Care Center at the VA Mecial Center in Jackson.