George was born on August 28, 1937 to Dorothy Jones Harrison and Roy Norman Harrison in Gustine, Comanche County, Texas. He was an only child and loved the small town life. His father entered the Army in World War II and was killed in The Battle of the Bulge. George always loved and missed his father.
George grew up in Dallas and Ft. Worth. While first attending Arlington State College, he was Cadet Colonel in the ROTC Military Police Corps. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Economics and was a proud Longhorn and Alumni Association member.
Upon graduation from UT, he entered the military as a member of the Regular Army with the rank of 2nd Lt in the Military Police Corps. During his time in the Army George was stationed in Germany, Georgia, Louisiana, Kansas, Texas, Viet Nam and Korea. He received the Bronze Star and other awards and medals. He loved the Military Police Corps. After his tour in Germany, as a very young man, George chose to return home to Dallas for a while following his mother's death at the age of 44.
In Dallas he met Sharon Lynn Chaney. They were married on June 6, 1964 and have been married for 58 1/2 years. They settled in San Antonio in 1967, making it their home for life. During their marriage they welcomed two children, Tara Lynn Harrison and John Chaney Harrison.
George later completed his education with a PhD in Business. Afterwards, he worked for USAA in Real Estate Development. He chose the street name Towers Park Lane for the USAA Towers at Fort Sam.
While on the board of the Alamo Community College District he led the team that chose the site for the Northwest Vista Campus. He served on the Bexar Appraisal Review Board for many years, as Chairman for a time.
He founded Columbia Institute, a school for continuing education of Real Estate Appraisers. Courses were taught in many states. In the early 90's, he spent time in Moscow and Bulgaria training appraisers, as well as hosting some of them here. He also authored many appraisal textbooks.
George was a founding member of the National Association of Appraisers. He served on the Board of Directors, was a President and an Emeritus Member.
Through Columbia Institute and NAA, he successfully co-hosted an Appraisal Summit in Las Vegas for many years. He sold Columbia Institute a few years ago and retired. Columbia and NAA continue to co-host the Summit annually.
He and his family have been members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church since 1974. Through the years, he was active as a Vestry Member, Sunday school teacher and Lay Reader. He also served on the St. Luke's School Board. He faithfully attended Sunday school, Tuesday morning Men's Bible Study and the annual Men's dinners. What he loved most were his many years as Head Usher. He loved his church and his Lord.
He was an avid reader of history and politics, which he loved to discuss.
He belonged to The Snake Pit Society, a bi-partisan group of friends that have been meeting for breakfast Saturday mornings at Mi Tierra's for over 30 years.
He enjoyed his group of friends that met on Fridays for lunch at The Petroleum Club. Before the pandemic he could be found every morning having coffee with friends at HEB Oak Park for over 20 years. Following COVID, they met Wednesdays at Central Market.
Sunday family lunches were at his favorite place EZ's Sunset Ridge. He loved talking to everyone there, and they all knew and loved Mr. George.
George was a wonderful father, husband and friend. He loved talking with people and had a gift of remembering names and faces. He will be missed in many hearts.
Mr. Harrison is survived by his wife, Sharon Lynn Chaney Harrison, daughter, Tara Lynn Harrison Richardson and son, John Chaney Harrison. Grandchildren, Mollie Lynn Richardson Berger (Ryan Berger), Ryan George Richardson, Reagan Patrick Richardson and great granddaughter Ashlynn Melinda Berger, all living in San Antonio.
He is also survived by his two daughters from a previous marriage, Ann Michelle Harrison McAllister (the late Mike McAllister) of San Diego, CA. Jeane Marie Harrison Tierney (Christopher Tierney) and Step-granddaughter Katie McAllister of San Diego, as well as Godson Corbin Wade Smith of San Antonio many beloved cousins.
In Lieu of flowers please make donations in his name to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Children and Family Ministries or a charity of your choice.
Visitation 11/30 Sunset Funeral Home 6:00 to 8:00 pm friends and family 1701 Austin Hwy San Antonio, Texas 78218
Thursday 12/1 at 11:15 am Graveside at Fort Sam Houston (shelter 2) 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd San Antonio, Texas 78209
12/1 at 1:00 pm for service at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Reception to follow in the parlor 11 St. Luke’s Lane San Antonio, Texas 78209.
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