David Earl Harrison
David Earl Harrison was born in 1953 to E.D. and Nellie Harrison, one of four brothers (along with James, Richard and Paul). Growing up on the family farm, David was a voracious reader from an early age. He was active in the Boy Scouts, eventually joining the Order of the Arrow. After graduating high school, he joined the Coast Guard where he spent four years helping stranded beach goers and lost ships in some of the roughest conditions on the coast of North Carolina. He went on to graduate from NC State.
In 1978, David married Linda Carol Greene. They would spend the next 45 years together. He was a devoted, loving husband, and it was rare that they were ever apart. His son, Jon, and daughter, Jenny, came along a few years later. As a father, David was slow to anger (if he ever got angry at all), even-keeled and had a good sense of humor. He always seemed to have a believable answer to any random question the kids had and was admired for his wealth of knowledge about nature. With the arrival of two granddaughters, David became “Peepaw.” He loved his granddaughters more than life itself, and they loved him. He had a lavender polo shirt he would wear just for them.
Professionally, David was a soil and water conservationist for the State of North Carolina. He spent 31 years helping farmers and communities like those that he grew up in. For this, he received some official recognition. But maybe more importantly, he earned the respect and appreciation of the people he worked alongside. In retirement, he and Linda volunteered with Meals on Wheels where he brought not only meals but companionship to the people he visited. He enjoyed gardening. And even though the condos that he and Linda lived in had professional landscapers, he would get his hands dirty himself when he could.
His life was a life of servitude.
David was also a devoted Christian. He attended church with Linda for years and would sing bass in the choir. He loved the Lord and wanted people to come to know the love of Jesus Christ. One of his favorite passages from the Bible was “A psalm of David,” Psalm 23.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The loss of David leaves a large hole in those he leaves behind. But we know he’s in a better place now. We are sure that, when the Lord saw him, He said “Well done, good and faithful servant.”