Addison "Gary" Harrison

Addison “Gary” Harrison, 81, of Washington, died May 17, 2024, in his residence with his friend Edith and son-in-law Michael by his side. He was born August 3, 1942, in Baltimore, Maryland, a son of the late Addison Branch Harrison and Frances Hartman Harrison Crockett. Raised in Ijamsville, Maryland, he worked on local area farms as a teenager, and graduated from Frederick High School in 1960. Following graduation, Gary enlisted in the United States Army. During his enlistment, he was stationed in Japan for 2 ½ years. He returned home in 1963, then went to Germany to work for the NSA, returning to the U.S. in 1967. Gary worked as a purchasing agent for NIH for several years, then started his career in the horse racing business, which he was involved with for 55 years. He was an owner as well as a driver and trainer. Gary lived to fish and hunt. He loved fishing for trout at Dutch Fork and fishing for crappie at Cross Creek Lake. An avid deer hunter, he loved to hunt at the family farm in Scenery Hill and was dedicated to teaching his loved ones how to hunt and shoot. Gary also enjoyed trap shooting and competing in trap tournaments. Gary loved breakfast food and looked forward to eating his breakfast daily at different local restaurants. He always showed up for others – he was a good friend and neighbor. In his time of need, those neighbors, including Judy and Edith, showed up for him, helping to take care of him in his final weeks. Edith Dupaine was with Gary till the end, for which his family is eternally grateful. Surviving are two sons, Stephen Tyler Harrison-Schmitt and Douglas Gary Harrison; several stepdaughters and sons-in-law, including Janice and Michael Pantely and Kathy and Bruce Evans; a sister and brother-in-law, Judith “Dawn” and Richard Delauter; a nephew, Eric Delauter, and family; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his companion of 28 years, Clara Alice “Kay” Wiggins; and his stepfather, Douglas Crockett, a descendant of Davy Crockett who fought at the Alamo. At the request of the deceased, there will be no public visitation, and burial in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., Washington.