Longtime Shawnee resident, Ronald Lee Harrison, 87, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Monday, November 23, 2020. Ronald was born September 23, 1933 in Cowlington, Oklahoma to Kenneth Ray Harrison and Robbie Leo (Matlock) Harrison. He graduated from Keota High School in 1951. He signed an eight year enlistment with the United States Navy the same year. He served our country on “hunter killer”, U.S.S William Seiverling - DE441 stationed from 1952-1955. He participated in the mine laden Blockade of Wonsan Harbor during the Korean War, the longest naval blockade in modern history, in which he earned three battle stars. During leave, he married his love, Elda Lea Massey on May 7, 1954. They settled in Shawnee in 1965. He and Elda Lea built the home in which they raised their three children. He worked nights at Tinker Air Force base as a Mainframe Systems Operator and built homes during the day. He retired from civil service in 1989 after 25 years, but alongside Elda Lea, continued his work building and renovating homes, cattle raising, oil well drilling, and real estate investment.
He was happiest and loved just being with Elda Lea. He loved her family too. He was a thinker with various interests in electronics, computers, machinery, tools, large equipment, gardening, art, animals, but most of all family. He was independent and had a strong work ethic, which he passed on to his children. He was a loving husband, father, brother, and friend who was loved beyond measure and will be dearly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth Ray Harrison and Robbie Leo Harrison, his wife Elda Lea Harrison, his son Ronald Lee Harrison, Jr., and his brother Charles Ray Harrison.
He is survived by his brother James Kent Harrison, his daughter Teresa and her husband Mike Coffman, and his daughter Merrily and her husband Doyle Short and his children.
Visitation will be held Friday, November 27, 2020 from 4-8 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home in Shawnee. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 1 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel. Please join us on our livestreamed service for Mr. Harrison via Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ResthavenFuneralHomeAndMemorialPark/
To understand his service in the Navy please enjoy this link provided by the family: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj7y6Ncej40
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