George D. Harrison

George D. Harrison, 89 of Washington, passed on to a new life to be with His Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at home. He was born August 1, 1926 in Normalville, the son of the late Matthew and Rebecca Robbins Harrison. Mr. Harrison was a Christian. His deep and abiding faith was the primary focus of his life. He found comfort and peace in his relationship with his Lord, Jesus Christ. Mr. Harrison served with the U.S. Navy aboard the Destroyer, U.S.S. Hale-DD642 in the South Pacific during World War II. He received seven Asiatic Pacific Bronze Stars, two Philippine Campaign Battle Stars, the Occupation of Japan Medal and one Silver Star. During the harrowing period off Okinawa, the Hale drove off innumerable kamikaze attacks; saving 26 downed American pilots and shot down six enemy planes. Mr. Harrison was employed at Suwak Trucking Co. for 28 years, retiring in 1988. Formerly, he also was employed at Emerald Mines in Clarksville. George was a member of the U.S. Hale Association and the American Legion Post #175. He enjoyed fresh water fishing at Deep Creek Lake and at Bear Creek. He also enjoyed growing fruit trees, vegetables and melons. Mr. Harrison enjoyed reading books on history of WWII and was a daily reader of the Bible. On May 8, 1971 he married Dorothy Ann Zeman who survives. Surviving children from a previous marriage are four sons, George (Marlene) Harrison of Waynesburg, Clyde (Michelle) Harrison of Sycamore, Gary (Renee) Harrison of Prosperity, Scott (Samantha) Harrison of Washington; three daughters, Cindy Phillips of Waynesburg, Susan (Ed) Blakeney of Glen Burnie, MD, and Becky (Jeff) Anderson of Washington; 16 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren. Deceased are five brothers, Taft, Clyde, William, Tom and Edward; five sisters, Agnes Harrison, Eleanor Rich, Margaret Hegadore, Polly Sliger and Virginia Burich. Friends will be received Tuesday, October 13, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. the time of service at William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Ave., Washington with Pastor Joe DiDonato officiating. Burial will follow at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Military honors will be accorded by the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post #175.