Thomas Harrison Obituary

Thomas Richard Harrison died peacefully March 17, 2005 after a lengthy illness. Tom was born November 17, 1925 in Bryan, Texas. After having served in the Air Corps during World War II, Tom graduated from Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater, Oklahoma. After completing his master's degree in accounting and receiving his CPA certification, Tom went to work for Dowell in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical Co. This began a long and illustrious career in corporate finance. While at Dow Chemical Tom served as Treasurer and Controller of Dow Europe and Africa in Zurich, Switzerland. After he retired from Dow, Tom worked for Occidental Petroleum in Houston, Texas where he served as world-wide Vice President of Finance. In his retirement Tom especially enjoyed his volunteer work with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). He was an active member of the Memorial Men's Club and was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, B. F. and Nelia Frances Harrison, and brother, B. Frank Harrison. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Ann (Betty) Harrison; brother, Norman Harrison and wife, Donella; daughters, Carolan and husband, Don Mendel, of Houston, Texas; Catherine and husband, Dr. Richard Stilwill of Okemos, Michigan; grandsons, Jason Mendel and wife, Angie; Adam Mendel; Justin Blake and wife, Sara Stilwill; Christopher Richard Stilwill; and Benjamin Louis Stilwill; and great- grandson, Trenton Thomas Mendel. Tom will be greatly missed by his family and friends. In the words of one of his sons-in-law: "Tom was one of the best among the greatest generation. A memorial service celebrating Tom's life will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers you may make a charitable contribution to The American Lung Association or to the charity of you choice.