Rev. Owen Arvel Harrison

Harrison Yadkinville - Rev. Owen A. "Joe" Harrison, age 87, died Sunday, November 18, 2012, at Central Continuing Care nursing facility in Mt. Airy, NC. He was born July 7, 1925 in Lenoir, NC to the late Blaine Harrison and Ida Mae Chester. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Bonnie Dover Harrison, brother, Johnny Harrison, and brother-in-law, G.S Harris. He enlisted in the US Army and served in Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe, Ardennes and the Rineland during WWII. He was part of the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, and came ashore on Utah Beach with the 238th Combat Engineer Battalion on June 6 & 7, 1944. The 238th participated in all campaigns of the US 1st Army, ultimately marching victoriously into Germany. He graduated from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute in Hendersonville, NC. He pastored Sugar Grove Baptist Church, Sugar Grove, VA, High Point Baptist Church, Lodi, VA, Cleveland Heights Baptist, Gastonia, NC, Soul's Harbor Tabernacle, Gastonia, NC, West Yadkin Assembly of God, Hamptonville, NC, and Calvary Assembly of God, Mt. Airy, NC. He founded the Rural Retreat Baptist Church, Rural Retreat, VA. He also served as chaplain to the homeless at the Lighthouse Mission in Winston-Salem, NC. He is survived by two sons: Danny Harrison & wife Janie of Galax, VA, Tony Harrison & wife Diane of Fancy Gap, VA; and two daughters: Teena Harrison of Las Vegas, NV, Annette Smith & husband Mark of Walnut Cove, NC; grandchildren, Daniel Harrison, Susan Kitzrow, John Harrison, David Harrison, Jeremy Tallent, Heather Tallent, Jacob Smith, Rebekah Smith; and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters: Mavis Woods of Saw Mills, NC, and Joyce Harris of Granite Falls, NC. His funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 23, 2012 at Gentry Family Chapel in Yadkinville by Daniel Harrison. Burial will follow at Union Grove Baptist Cemetery with full Military Honors by the Yadkin VFW Post 10346. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Friday prior to the service at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville. Sincere thanks to Shirley Horton, and the staff of Central Continuing Care for their dedication to and care of our dad. A special thanks to Mountain Valley Hospice for assisting our family during this time. Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Harrison family. Online condolences can be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.com.