Wayne James Harrison

Wayne James Harrison, 93, of Seminole, Florida, passed away on March 14, 2016 peacefully in his home. Wayne was born in Malad City, Idaho on March 21, 1922. After a 26 year military career he earned a Master's Degree in Education at Florida State University. As a boy Wayne and his brother flew on a crop duster, which spawned a dream to take to the air as a pilot. He found his opportunity when World War II generated a great demand to expand aviation forces and joined the Navy and realized his dream of becoming a pilot. He flew in World War II and in the first U.S. Navy squadron of Hurricane Hunters based in Miami followed by flying in the Korean War. In the final years of his Navy career he flew Blimps out of Lakehurst Naval Base. In his second career, Wayne established an Aviation Associate Degree program at St. Petersburg Junior College where he helped launch many young pilots to the skies. After retiring he continued other teaching jobs and providing corporate pilot services. He took to flight whenever he could in his personal plane making both short local trips and cross country journeys through his late 80s. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Dredge Harrison and Lily Rosenberg Harrison; brothers Leon Harrison, Jesse Harrison; sisters Connie Pugsley, Jacquline Marsh, Diane Thomas; daughter Lynn Raab and wife Patty Harrison. Wayne is survived by his six children, Marc A. Harrison and his wife Wendy, Kathy A. Harrison and her husband Wes, Keith J. Harrison, Sheri Harrison, Christina Larson, and Keith Larson; his 5 grandchildren Kevin, Marcy, Joshua, Ayla and Jacob; his brother, Dean Harrison and sister Joyce Shanks; his nieces and nephews; and the rest of his relatives and friends. Visitation will be held at 6:00 PM on March 17, 2016 at Reese Funeral Home at 6767 Seminole Blvd. Seminole, FL 33772. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on March 18, 2016 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 9001 106th Ave, Seminole, FL 33777. Interment at Florida National Cemetery with full military honors to be scheduled. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Suncoast Hospice. The family of Wayne Harrison wishes to thank the Suncoast Hospice as well as Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Seminole Ward. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of E. James Reese Funeral Home.