CECIL LEROY HARRISON

Cecil Leroy Harrison, 91, passed away October 20, 2012 at his home in Salt Lake City with his family at his side. Cecil was born January 18, 1921 in Malad City, ID to Lorenzo and Julia Edith Mock Harrison.

He grew up on the family farm on the Sand Ridge (west of Malad). He attended grade school at Elkhorn and St. John and was a Malad High graduate in 1939. At one time he had a photography shop in Malad and later operated a photography and trophy shop in Tremonton and Salt Lake City. He recently resided in Salt Lake.

Cecil was featured in the International Library of Poetry “Who’s Who in Poetry”, also in “Best Poems and Poets 2003” and “Noble House of Poetry of London England” with the poem “The Tarnished Stone”. He was inducted into the International Library Poetry Hall of Fame in 1966 with two poems. “They Gave So Much”, which was also recorded as a song in 2003 by Emerald Records of Nashville, TN, and the other poem was “War Never Over” that has been used in many memorials over the entire country.

Cecil entered the service in June, 1944, and dedicated his poetry to the famous 6th Marine Division with whom he served on Guadalcanal and Okinawa in the South Pacific. The 6th fought the bloodiest, costliest and the last battle of World War II against Japan in Okinawa from April 1, 1945 until June 13, 1945. Few men of the 6th division, who hit the beach Easter Sunday, April 1, were still there June 1 when the battle ended. Few Americans ever knew of the 6th or the true casualties as the world was celebrating victory in Europe, while the 6th division was locked in a death struggle on Okinawa. The 6th was formed overseas and was disbanded overseas.

He was married to the former Nola Bea Howell on June 7, 1941, now deceased. They had two sons, Lamont and Michael, now deceased.

His greatest joys were his family, and taking his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren on trips to Mackay fishing, to the reservoir and mountains of Southern Utah or to camp at Bear Lake or along Black Fork Canyon.

His survivors are Michael (Corina) and family, David, Mark and Cody, who have taken such good care of him the last few years; Michelle and family; Scott Hess; Amanda Draper (Landon); Baby Draper and family; Madisyn, Braken, Bryson; a brother, Dale Harrison, Malad; sisters, Betty Wight, Centerville, UT and Lucile Harrison of Malad.

Graveside services will be held at the Malad Cemetery on October 30, 2012.