John Gary Evans Harrison, III, age 79, of Easley, SC, passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Rainey Hospice House.

Born May 11, 1944, in Augusta, GA, he was the son of the late John Gary Evans Harrison, Jr. and Margaret Jean Youmans Harrison. He was married 53 years to Yvonne Gambrell Harrison until her death in 2022. He was also preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Joedy Watson.

John was a graduate of Clemson University and earned his masters degree in industrial engineering. He was an educator and coach for most of his working career. Between 1968 and 1975 He taught and coached football in the Anderson area at Lakeside, Southwood, Westside, and TL Hanna. In 1976, he became the AD and Head Football Coach at Parker High School in Greenville. When Parker closed down in 1983 he moved to Wren, where he was an assistant coach for the C-team, JV, and Varsity until he retired in 1997. In addition to coaching and teaching John enjoyed building, real estate, and woodworking. He was a Jack of all trades and loved spending time in his workshop. His family would say he was a master piddler. Following his career in education he continued to keep the clock for Wren Varsity Basketball and the stats for Varsity Football. Over the past three years he has enjoyed coaching the Wren Pole Vaulters alongside Coach Harrison Hix. John's family was his pride and joy, and he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and Coach.

He is survived by his three children, John Harrison, IV (Brantley), Jeanne Bollinger (Curtis), and Joshua Harrison (Jamie); and eight grandchildren, Evans Harrison, Fox Harrison, Harrison Bollinger, Margaret Bollinger, Clara Ann Bollinger, Pierce Harrison, Edee Kate Harrison, and Creede Harrison. In addition, John is survived by his sisters, Peggy Simpson (Jay) and Candy Murray (Emmett); brother, Gary Simpson (Debbie); brother-in-law, Robert Gambrell (Sheila); and sisters-in-law, Teresa Watson and Jeanne Gambrell.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Bethesda United Methodist Church in Powdersville on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 2:30 pm. A reception will follow in the Family Life Center. Interment will be private.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Bethesda UMC, 516 Piedmont Rd., Easley, SC 29642 or Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Rd., Anderson, SC 29621.

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