Edward Gibson Harrison
August 11, 2023
CHARLOTTE – Mr. Edward Gibson Harrison, 89, passed peacefully Friday, August 11, 2023, at his residence in Matthews Glen. He was a native of Newtown, PA, and the son of the late Lovedon and Harriet Harrison.
Ed started life in 1934 in the rural, farm-like surroundings of beautiful Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. His father owned a butcher’s shop, which helped keep food on the table through the Great Depression years. He and his brother, Jack, both went to a one-room schoolhouse about 100 yards from their childhood home. After a more traditional school setup starting in 7th grade and extending through his High School years, his school life led him to enroll at Penn St. University. Halfway through College, he enlisted in the US Army and then returned to Penn St. after his tour of duty to graduate in 1958. In 1960 his early professional career led him to Shelby, NC, where while renting a room in a home on Westfield Rd., he was introduced by his landlord to a nice girl who lived just down the street and was home for the summer from Queens College. He fell head-over-heels in love with that ‘nice girl’ and married her after a 6-month courtship. Her name was Cynthia Parker, and after the Wedding, the two lived in an Apartment in Shelby. His work, though, quickly transferred them to Shelbyville, Indiana, where their first son, Scott, was born in 1962. Almost immediately, they both realized they wanted to move back down South. As fate would have it, a switch in Ed’s career path occurred just then, and it led him into Banking with First Union National Bank and what turned out to be a permanent move to Charlotte, NC. He spent most of his professional life in banking, all here in Charlotte. Their second son, Todd, was born in Charlotte in 1965, and they spent the next several years chasing the two small boys around! Ed thoroughly enjoyed his time with the family at the beach, camping, and on long-car-trip vacations! He also enjoyed time spent with his two boys through Indian Guides. He always spoke glowingly about the time spent with Cynthia on bank-provided business trips too! A car enthusiast at heart, he had many ‘project cars’ over the years, which led to some beautifully restored automobiles, and many fun Sunday afternoon drives! During Ed’s later years, one of his most treasured pleasures was the time he spent with his brother, Jack, at the big national car show in Hershey, PA. He led a full life, was well respected, and always remained grounded in what he knew were his only true possessions: His Faith and his Family.
Ed was predeceased by his wife, Cynthia Harrison, and is survived by two sons, Todd Harrison & his wife, Jonna, and Scott Harrison & his wife, Heidi; four grandchildren, Ansley, William (Will), Kyle, Dylan & his wife, Amanda; two great-grandchildren, Emma & Ayden - all of Charlotte.
A memorial service to celebrate Ed’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Sardis Presbyterian Church. The service will be live-streamed at: //www.youtube.com/@SardisPresbyterianChurch/featured">https://www.youtube.com/@SardisPresbyterianChurch/featured for those unable to attend in person.
The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
Memorials may be offered in memory of Ed to Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270.
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My condolences to his sons Scott and Todd, and the extended family. We lost one of the "good guys."
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