Gladin Harrison

Gladin Harrison, 84, Kansas City, Missouri, passed away May 16, 2012. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 26, Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road. Entombment Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Gladin Harrison was born in Princeton, Arkansas on August 4, 1927, to the late Milton Harrison and Jimmie Lawson Harrison. He departed this life on May 16, 2012 at Lake Jacomo in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Gladin was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Jeannetta Jennings Harrison in 1955. To this union, three children were born. He was also preceded in death by four brothers M.C. Harrison, Glen Harrison (twin), Percy Harrison and L.B. Harrison, one sister Constance Harrison, and one grandson Aaron Vandunk. Gladin was a faithful, longstanding member of Beacon Hill Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri. The church was first pastured by Rev. Preston Miller, followed by Rev. Jefferson Newton. After attending school in Arkansas, Gladin served for 18 months in the U.S. Army at the end of World War II, from 1946 to 1947, as a rigger and an expert rifleman. After completing his Army service, he moved to Kansas City and received an education in automobile repair. Gladin joined the Kansas City Fire Department in 1953, beginning a 35-year career that ended with his retirement in 1988. He was one of the department’s first black firefighters and helped integrate the department. He also was a member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 42, belonged to the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Association and was a member of the Front Porch Alliance. Gladin was an avid sportsman who loved fishing and hunting. He helped start what is believed to be the first black hunting club in Kansas City during the 1950s and 1960s. He exercised daily at Gregg Community Center in Kansas City. Gladin was a loving and caring man who accomplished much and helped many. Gladin leaves to cherish his memory, two sons Milton Scott Harrison of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Christopher Dean Harrison of Columbia, Missouri; a daughter Bridget Harrison Vandunk (Elbert) of Kansas City; a sister Geneva Cook of Kansas City; a brother Thurman Harrison of Denver, Colorado; four grandchildren Christina Carter of Columbia, Chastain Cowans of Brooklyn, New York, Joshua Vandunk of Kansas City and Isaiah Vandunk of Kansas City; fiancee’ Betty Mitchell of Kansas City; and a host of relatives, extended family and friends. Because of Gladin’s love of fishing and hunting, his family asks donations be made in his name to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 366, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0366. “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.” John 14:1 Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.