Gene "Pope" Harrison
Obituary
Gene Harrison, also known as "Pope,"
87, passed to heaven Friday (Feb. 22, 2019) at Wesley Woodlawn
Hospital in Wichita. He was born Sept. 12, 1931, in Dundee, Indiana.
Gene transferred to Newton from Elwood,
Indiana, as the plant manager for Steven's Spring Co. in 1961 during
the thriving mobile home years. In 1964, he started E&H Foam to
serve the growing needs of the bedding and furniture industry. Over
the next few years, he began diversifying into multiple related
business opportunities, i.e. Prairie Schooner Vans, Classic
Interiors, etc. Being the entrepreneurial spirit he was, another idea
intrigued him, and he pursued the building of a residential mobile
home park, Prairie Estates.
Although Gene worked hard to build each
successful venture, he worked equally hard to ensure his children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew the meaning of love, fun,
strong family relationships and making treasured memories.
Gene is survived by his wife, Dana; two
sons and their spouses, Toby (Laura) Harrison and Kelby (Sharon)
Harrison; four daughters and their spouses: Melody (Tim) Maloney,
Reni Whitfield (Randy Vanderree), Tina (Mike) Garcia and Tawnya
(Loren) Schroeder; 24 grandchildren and their spouses: Colby (Dyan)
Roberson, Josh (Stephanie) Roberson, Zach (Jill) Roberson, Tyler
(Amber) Roberson, Amber (Brandon) Bogue, April (Chad) Childers, Kacey
(Sinead) Harrison, Alissa Harrison, Tosha (Todd) Smith, Cori (Jerame)
Carson, Nisha (Jason) Spencer, Sheena (Cody) Smith, Cody (Kym)
Garcia, Caleb (Madiah) Metzler, Luke (Colleen) Metzler, Gabe Metzler,
Seth Metzler, Briana (Travis) Stubbs, Keaton Harrison, Amelia
(Fernando) Fierros, Quinton Harrison, Jeb (Janelle) Schroeder, Judd
(Andrea) Schroeder, Jate Schroeder (Julie Baker) and YongGang Chang,
who has become like a grandchild; and 54 great-grandchildren: Brody,
Boone, Berkley, Cabe, Juden, Ridge, Coleson, Brecklyn, Knox, Dresden,
Pierson, Braxton, Alexis, Bridger, Jasper, Kylar, Kade, Kenzi,
Hunter, Morgan, Cash, Mariah, Rylie, Cruz, Cain, Milayna, Elyza,
Adryn, Westin, baby Smith, Elijah, Zane, Ciera, Sadie, Wade, Kailey,
Owen, Wyatt, Bristol, Rory, Branson, Harrison, Collette, D'Angelo,
Alayna, Mateo, Madison, Bud, Brooklyn, Maizy, Harper, Asher, Addie Jo
and baby Schroeder. He is also survived by one brother and his wife,
Bob (Millie) Harrison; one sister, Chic McGuire; and many adored
nieces, nephews and special friends Barb and Larry Smith.
Gene is preceded in death by his
parents, Royal Harrison Sr. and Kathryn; daughter and son-in-law,
Gina and Mike Metzler; brother and sister-in-law, Royal Harrison Jr.
and Phyllis; brother-in-law, Bill McGuire; and brother-in-law and
sister-in-law, Wayne and Joyce Jack.
A public funeral service will be 11
a.m. Saturday (March 2, 2019) at Grace Community Church in Newton,
with Pastor Steve Friesen presiding. There will be a private
visitation only. There will be a private family interment.
In lieu of flowers and memorial
donations, it is Gene's family's wish that his friends and family
honor Gene by spending special time with their own family and
enjoying each other's precious company. Petersen Funeral Home is in
charge of arrangements.
