Dudley McGuire Harrison

Dudley “Hardway” Harrison

1939 - 2020

Dudley McGuire Harrison, age 80, passed away on January 8, 2020. He was born in Waco, TX on August 4, 1939 to Clyde McGuire and Evelyn Wooten Harrison.

He adhered to a simple maxim throughout his life, “If it’s worth doing; it’s worth doing right.” Nothing he invested himself in was halfway, pouring his heart into his efforts. It may have warranted the bestowal of his well-earned nickname “Hardway Harrison”, but it governed his character and projected his devotion to his faith, his family, and his trade. Dudley was very honest; you could put your trust in what he said, what he did, and what he intended to do, knowing those things would be accomplished in the highest of qualities. Life required much from Dudley, and this began with the passing of his father when he was 13 years old. The needs of his mother caused him to leave school to start shining shoes to help make ends meet. From that day, until the day she passed from this Earth, he faithfully supported her. One morning, at a café in Buna, he laid eyes on a young lady, Bonita, that would change his life. After coaxing from his friends, who bluntly told him that she would not give him the time of day, Dudley, utilizing his special wit, calmly asked if she had a watch, and if she would give him the time. From that day, that moment, the streams of their lives were locked together, and a love was born that would never falter. After a yearlong courtship, they sealed their hearts together on April 22, 1961, marrying and spending the next 58 years together. He worked hard in his cabinet business, D. Harrison & Company: building furniture, cabinets, caskets, and a variety of wooden pieces. Honored to build furniture for several famous individuals and families, doctor offices, and many homes, he crafted them with care and passion, as if each piece were made for his Heavenly Father.  A devoted Latter-day Saint for most of his life, Dudley served his church as a Bishop, Branch President, and many other capacities. Zealous in his faith, he blessed those around him with his public speaking abilities; being baptized on a Friday evening, he volunteered to speak the very next Sunday. He spoke of his mother and the role of a mother, titling it “The Most Noble Calling in All the World is that of a Mother”, it was a recurring message that he would reprise for many years. One could listen to the love and fervor of his words a hundred times, and it still break you and affect you. Dudley loved sharing meals with his family. Every meal he was served was the best meal he’d ever eaten, especially if it was occasionally topped off with Blue Bell’s Vanilla ice cream. Just as Dudley’s hand-crafted furniture, his personality, laugh, and loving spirit will be treasured for generations to come. Passing into the inheritance with the love and affection of his brothers and sisters in Christ, he opened his eyes on the other side to be greeted by his Heavenly Father and the Saints of the ages. His memory will live on in the hearts of his loved ones, until the day appointed that they see him again.

Left to honor his memory is his loving wife of 58 years, Bonita Joan Harrison; daughter, Keri Jo Flowers and husband, Don Brooks, of Harrison Hill, TX; sons, Gregory McGuire Harrison and wife, Stacey, of Buna, TX, Mark Allen Harrison and wife, Robin, of Buna, TX, and Scott Alexander Harrison of Harrison Hill, TX; grandchildren, Hyedi Guillory, Mitchell Flowers, Romi Hallmark, Madison Marks, Jordan Harrison, Hope Harrison, Hutson Harrison, Chelsi Clayton, Baeli Short, Laini Harrison, Noah Harrison, Jenah Harrison, and Jaicee Harrison; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild. Ryder Jo Combs, soon to be born; right hand and helper for many years, John Taylor; and a host of extended family, friends and loved ones.

Preceding Dudley in death are his parents; son, Chauncey Reed Harrison; and granddaughter, Haylee Harrison.

Visitation with family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, January 11, 2020 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1475 TX-62, Buna, TX. Dudley’s life honoring service will be at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, January 12, 2020, also at the church, and burial will follow at Cates Family Cemetery, Buna, TX.

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