Lyle T. Harrison, son of the late Wesley J. and Cleta (Lemons) Harrison, was born July 23, 1934, in Douglas County, Missouri, and passed away peacefully in his sleep on Aug. 19, 2020, at Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mountain Grove. He was 86 years and 27 days of age.
Lyle grew up in the Douglas County area, along Fox Creek. He graduated from Mountain Grove High School and attended the Rolla Miners School. He was drafted into the Army June 4, 1957, and served in Germany, returning to Mountain Grove in 1959.
He married Velma Leanis Holt on April 16, 1960. Two children were born to this union, Gerald and Valora. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary together in their home earlier this year. Lyle and Velma were almost always together in their retirement years and enjoyed spending their time together. Where you found one, you always found the other. Lyle retired from the Missouri Department of Transportation after working for more than 35 years. He enjoyed farming, gardening and watching plants grow. He loved reading the newspaper, watching all news programs and all forms of history. He knew no stranger and conversed with anyone while spending time with anyone who could afford some time for conversation.
He faithfully served the Lord and was a member of the Southside Church of Christ in Mountain Grove.
Besides his parents, Lyle was preceded in death by one brother, Roy Harrison; one sister-in-law, Lacy Harrison; one sister, Inez Barker; and one brother-in-law, Noble Barker. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Velma Harrison, of Mountain Grove; one son, Gerald Harrison, of Mountain Grove; one daughter, Valora Frey and her husband, Joseph, of Liberty; three grandchildren, Jarred Harrison and his wife, Miranda, of Paoli, Okla.; Charissa Wilmes and her husband, David, of Easton; Seth Halford and his wife, Ieisha, of Kearney; seven beautiful great-granddaughters, Jazmine Rose Harrison, fraternal twins, Gracie Lynn and Jaylynn Bliss Harrison, Kaydience Lee Smith, Bexlei Rayne Leanis Wilmes, Olivia Joann Halford and Clair Jacklyn Halford; three brothers-in-law, Lonnie Holt and his wife, Charlotte, of Mountain Grove; Wyane Holt and wife, Barbara, of Salem, Ark.; and Vernon Holt and wife, Lanea, of Mackie, Idaho; three sisters-in-law, Leona Sanders, of Wichita, Kan.; Thelma Faye Kincheloe and her husband, Von, of Kansas City; and Joyce Holt, of Mountain Grove; and other relatives, friends and church family who will dearly miss him.
Visitation for Lyle Harrison was held Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home from 9-10 a.m. Funeral services followed the visitation at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home, with Todd Richardson officiating. Song selections played were “In The Garden,” “Trust And Obey” and “Sweet By And By.” Dwayne Harrison, Larry Harrison, Gary Harrison, Seth Halford, David Wilmes and Terry Kincheloe served as pallbearers.
Mike Wade and Larry Coffee served as honorary pallbearers. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
