Charles Harrison

Charles Darwin Harrison has flown his last mission—the World War II Air Force B-26 Bomber pilot left this earth on December 24, 2010. Charles is survived by his wife, Asunta G. Bernard Harrison, whom he married May 28, 1942; two sons, Charles B. (Nancy) Harrison, of Michigan and Michael E. (Jo Miller) Harrison, of Chillicothe; four grandchildren, Jessica L. and Charles B. Harrison Jr., of Michigan and Michael Jay Harrison and Charles Patrick Harrison of Chillicothe; and several nieces; nephews; and cousins. He was predeceased by an infant daughter born March 1, 1953 and his parents, Lewis and Margaret Nellie Davis Harrison; two brothers, Joseph L. Harrison and Eugene D. Harrison; a sister, Alyce Harrison McClung. Charles was born March 2, 1918 in Upper Township, Lawrence County, OH. He attended Pedro High School, Rio Grande University, and Ohio University. He was a teacher and for several years was the principal of LaGrange Grade School in Lawrence County. Charles was inducted into the Army Air Force, earning his pilots wings on March 12, 1944. He served as a B-26 Bomber pilot in England and France with the 9th Air Force, completing 36 bombing missions. During his service in World War II he was a distinguished pilot earning military awards including the Air Medal, four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the ETO Ribbon with four battle stars. After the war, Charles returned to Ohio University to earn a B.S. in Civil Engineering. While earning his degree he also was a flight instructor for the university. He worked for the Ohio Department of Highways and later Mead Paper Company in Chillicothe, OH. He retired from Rust Engineering Company in 1983. His work in the paper making industry afforded him many opportunities for travel around the world. Charles and his wife returned to Chillicothe for their retirement years. Charles was a member of several engineering societies, Scioto Lodge 6 F & AM, Chillicothe and Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 419. Charles will be remembered by his many friends as an avid golfer. Private funeral services and military graveside services, conducted by the Ross Co. Veterans Honor Guard will be held at the convenience of the family in Grandview Cemetery, under the direction of the Haller Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Russ College of Engineers and Technology, Ohio University, Athens, OH or the Genealogical Department of the Chillicothe/Ross Co. Public Library, 140-146 S. Paint St., Chillicothe, OH , 45601. His online memorial register is available at www.HallerFuneralHome.com. Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun split clouds; and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of; wheeled and soared and swing high in the sunlet silence, hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace where never lark, or even eagle flew—and, while with silent lifting mind I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand and touched the face of God. --John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
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