Leo Francell Harrison, Jr., a longtime resident of Norfolk, Virginia, entered eternal life on February 28, 2023. He was born on October 5, 1945 in Surry County, Virginia, the third child of the late Leo Francell Harrison, Sr. and Susie Mae Lunsford Harrison. He was reared and educated in Surry and Sussex counties. He joined Lebanon Baptist Church (Surry County) at an early age and graduated from Sussex Central High School in 1964. He entered Saint Paul’s College (Lawrenceville) in the fall of 1964 and attended the institution for two years. He served honorably in the United States Army for two years as a cook. He also enjoyed playing softball and basketball while in the Army. After serving his country, he attended Norfolk State University. His work experience included his father’s logging business, his own trucking business, and the City of Norfolk as a Recreation Supervisor for the Bureau of Parks and Recreation for nearly 30 years.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, he played basketball and baseball while in high school. He was instrumental in organizing the Central Baseball League which joined the counties of Sussex, Surry, Prince George, Isle of Wight, Southampton, and Dinwiddie, as well as the Holland and Wilroy communities of the City of Suffolk. Following his retirement from the City of Norfolk, he played softball in the Senior League for as long as his health would allow.
In addition to sports, his favorites included eating country ham, “shooting the breeze” with family and friends, drinking a Mountain Dew soda, and fishing. He also enjoyed watching westerns (especially “Gunsmoke” and “The Virginian”) and was a huge fan of “Law and Order: SVU.” Additionally, he valued friendships, often nurturing some for life. He was also included among the special friends of the William Miller Scholarship Fund.
He leaves to cherish his memory his trusted friend and former wife, Antonia Wiggins Harrison of Carrollton, and their two sons, Dr. Marcus Terrell Harrison of Carrollton and Leo Marcellus Harrison of Newport News; his daughter, Lea Roberta Wright Harrison Tschirn (William) of King George; his goddaughter Cynthia Olivia Johnson; his sister Jacquelin Harrison Gilchrist; his grandchildren Rycho’N Fennell Cypress (Alexis), Damien Marcell Harrison, and Chelsea La’Shae Harrison; and a myriad of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and friends. He is also lovingly remembered by his special Saint Paul’s College friends who include Calvin Gilliam, Reginald Romaine, and Joel Wagner, as well as Carolyn Miller.
Interment takes place on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Alfred G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veteran’s Cemetery located at 5310 Milners Road in Suffolk, Virginia.
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