Lyle Chester Harrison

Lyle C. Harrison—devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend—passed away in the care of West Hills Health & Rehabilitation, at the age of 96, on Monday, December 12, 2022. After several years of declining physical and cognitive health, Lyle is now at peace, free from burdens and afflictions.

Lyle was born September 25, 1926, the ninth of ten children, during the Great Depression. In his early years, he grew up in Nebraska until at 16 years of age, he moved with his family to Oregon. After early graduation from high school, Lyle served in the Merchant Marines and then enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Seoul, Korea. Once honorably discharged from the Army, Lyle studied to be an aircraft mechanic after which he returned and made his home in Hillsboro Oregon. Lyle was the last Harrison sibling to pass away.

Lyle continued to pursue a 30-year career with N.W. Natural Gas Company where he served in the community as a service technician, eventually promoted to service mechanic before he retired in 1988. Lyle was a loyal worker, known to be available as a trainer and mentor to new employees. He was well liked and highly valued for his competence, reliability, discipline, and punctuality. Lyle repeatedly earned the company’s Safe Driver Award. He strived to serve the company and its customers with excellence.

In 1949, Lyle married Marlene Harrison in Vancouver, Washington. They were married 23 years. They eventually moved to Albany, Oregon where they raised their two boys, Gary and Randy. In 1973 Lyle married Kathy Harrison in Salem, Oregon and became stepfather to her four children, Greta, Brent, Sue and Eric. They were married 49 years, until his passing. Lyle and Kathy lived in Albany, Oregon until his retirement from N.W. Natural Gas Company, after which they lived in Oregon City, Gladstone, and Beaverton, Oregon.

Lyle walked through many troubled waters but found that faith as a Christian gave him guidance, healing, and solace. He shared in life and faith with his wife Kathy. Together they established a well-maintained home, raised children, and engaged in a full life with family and friends.

Lyle and Kathy were involved in several churches over the years and Lyle was always ready to lend a hand with his handyman skills and kind heart. He was consistently ready to help widows with home maintenance and repairs in the absence of their husbands. Lyle also served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, reaching out to the elderly with meals and friendship.

Lyle enjoyed camping and hunting with his brothers and sons. He stayed in close contact with family, locally and in the Midwest. Lyle made it a priority to help family members as they grew older and needed assistance.

Together, Lyle and Kathy provided practical and social support to many people. Lyle’s kindness and commitment to help people will be his legacy as he lives on in our memories.

Adult children who passed before Lyle included Gary (son) and Greta (stepdaughter). Lyle is survived by Kathy (wife); Randy (son); Brent, Sue, and Eric (stepchildren); Aubrey, Ashley, Kirsten, Gary, Alexis, Chaz, and Emily (grandchildren); Kami, Kari, Jon, and Collin (great grandchildren).

Memorial and Celebration of Life services will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. (reception directly following) at Skyline Memorial Gardens, 4101 NW Skyline, Portland, OR 97229.

There will be NO GRAVESIDE SERVICE. Visitation will be available Tuesday, December 27, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.skylinememorialgardens.com for the Harrison family.