Kyle Franklin Harrison

Kyle Franklin Harrison, age 81, of 1284 Gray Station Road, Gray, TN went home to be with his Lord and Savior at Johnson City Medical Center on Sunday November 22, 2009,after a lengthy illness. He was a loving, devoted husband, a wonderful father to his sons, a doting grandfather to his grandchildren, and a special friend to extended family and neighbors. A native of Washington County, he was the son of the late Elmer D. and Rose Buckingham Harrison, and a step son of Sylvia B. Harrison. He was a member of Crossroads Christian Church in Gray, where he served as Elder and Sunday School Teacher, as well as on the Church Board of Directors. He was a retired school teacher in the Sullivan County School System. He taught at Lynn View, Sullivan West, and Sullivan South High Schools. He earned his BS in Education from Bowling Green College, KY and his Masters Degree in Education from ETSU in Johnson City. He served his community as Charter member of Gray Ruritan, the Gray Community Chest as well as volunteering for Contact Ministries in Johnson City, TN . He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge. He was a member of the Chapel Quartet, and was a member of Church choirs for years. He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer D. and Rose Buckingham Harrison, his eldest son Michael Taylor Harrison, one brother Clarence L. Harrison, and one sister Barbara Sue Culberson. Survivors include his loving, devoted wife of 51 years, Bonnie Whitson Harrison of the home in Gray, TN who despite her multiple health concerns, saw that her husband was given the best care a person could have been given based on the direction of his physician; son Gary F. Harrison, and his fiancée Diana Lynn Collette, granddaughters Victoria and Caroline Harrison of Limestone, TN; son David A. Harrison and his wife Lynda, granddaughter Taylor and grandson Logan of 1382 Bolt Road, Gray Court, SC; daughter-in-law Karen Harrison, grandson Jonathan and his wife Jane, grandsons David and Ben Harrison and granddaughter Bethany Harrison of P.O. Box 44, Fisher, IL; one brother, Harold Harrison and his wife Barbara of Gray, TN; one sister Christine and her husband Ross Deakins of Jonesborough, TN; one sister-in-law, Nell Harrison of Limestone, TN and one brother-in-law Leonard Culberson of Palos Hills, IL. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends and extended relatives. Special Thanks to the minister, Clinton Andrews of Crossroads Christian Church of Gray, TN and its members, the caregivers who worked in the home to care for Mr. Harrison, the JCMC physicians and staff who cared for him, and the many family and friends who saw to the needs of both Kyle and Bonnie over the last several years A funeral service is scheduled for 8 PM Tuesday, November 24, 2009 following the family visitation at Crossroads Christian Church, Suncrest Drive, Gray, TN. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 11 AM Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at Hales Chapel Christian Church Cemetery, Hales Chapel Road, Gray, TN. Minister G. Clinton Andrews and Dr. Daer Platt will officiate Active pallbearers will be, Norris Barger, Rod Crawford, Steve Deakins, Jackie Denny, Lee Hilton, Bob Stykes, Carter Warden, Dale Whitson, and Jeff Whitson. Honorary pallbearer will be Bill Whitson. Pallbearers are ask to be at the church on Tuesday evening, November 24, 2009 at 5:45 PM and Wednesday morning November 25, 2009 at 10:15 AM. Family and friends are welcome to meet at Crossroads Christian Church at 10:15 AM Wednesday for a procession to Hales Chapel Christian Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the building fund of Crossroads Christian Church.