COLUMBUS
It is with broken hearts that the family of Ronald Dean Harrison, 55, announce his peaceful passing on November 6, 2017. He was surrounded by loving family and friends.
Born on July 21, 1962, to Martha and Gary Harrison, he was raised in Edinburgh, Indiana, along with his sister, Vicki. In that loving home, Ron developed many passions including strong family values, friendship, love of music and fishing which he carried into his adult life.
He graduated from Edinburgh High School in 1980, after which he enlisted in the Army aside his best friend Tony Smith. He served for three years which included an overseas station in Germany. After his honorable discharge, he worked for Arvin Industries Gladstone plant (1984-1989).
He was then taken under the wing of Dick Lovelace at Lovelace Electric where he earned his electrical license. Ron took this electrical knowledge, his innate understanding of engineering, and his passion for perfection and launched a successful career as manufacturing Controls/Application Engineer. He was employed by Novolex/Hilex Poly where he met so many friends, many he referred to as family.
Ron’s intense passion for music began with picking guitars with his dad and uncles on their front porch. In the mid-late 80’s he played Bass with the band TimePiece. They frequently played at The Lodge in Taylorsville. Later, he put his Bass guitar aside to pursue his main passion of loving his wife, raising his kids, and building strong family and friend relationships.
Then, in 2013 Ron reunited with an old dear friend, Max McGuire. Soon thereafter, he started playing Bass with Max and his wife Barb (The McGuire’s) at local venues. Then in 2014, Ron joined the band Back In The Day, and he never looked back. The classic rock genre and great mix of talent and personalities were exactly what he was looking for.
Ron also was a gifted woodworker and built multiple beautiful electric guitars, as he was always searching for the new perfect sound.
Ron was loved beyond measure and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife, Kelly (Wheeler); his parents; daughters, Cortney Huff and Shaley Wright (Jeff); sister, Vicki Clements (Jeff); nieces, Megan Wilt (Chad), Lana Dalley (Tristan), Natasha McIntyre (Eddie), Dana Harmon (Xavier), and Torie Wheeler; and nephews, Michael Clements, Matthew Clements, Nathan Gerth (Jenny), Jeffrey Tyler Huelson (Amanda), Conner Wheeler, Drew Wheeler, and Noah Wheeler.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, November 10, 2017, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with Jerry Lowman officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Vernon Cemetery, Vernon, Indiana, with military honors.
In lieu of flowers Ron requests that you donate an instrument to a child or a musical institution or buy a child some music lessons who would otherwise not receive them.
You are invited to view his video tribute, light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the internet.
