North Powder, Union County, Oregon
Thomas Jefferson Harrison, pioneer resident of North Powder died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Jake Simonis last Thursday night at 8 o’clock at the age of 83. Mr. Harrison had not been in the best of health for a number of years. He was a member of the G.A.R. and his passing marks again the thinning ranks of this organization.
Mr. Harrison is survived by five sons, Charles, John, George, Ira and Bennett, and two daughters, Mrs. Jake Simonis of this city and Mrs. Henry Locken of Haines.
Funeral services were held from the Methodist church Saturday afternoon, Miss Blokland officiating. Interment was in the city cemetery.
North Powder News
Saturday, June 19, 1926
Thomas Jefferson “Jeff” Harrison, 73, of Union died Friday afternoon, Dec. 31, 1993, at his home.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the North Powder Cemetery with the Rev. Hank Albrecht officiating. High Valley VFW Post #4060 will present the flag. Friends may call for viewing today until 7 p.m. at Payne Family Mortuary.
Mr. Harrison was born Aug. 22, 1920, at North Powder to George Thomas and Josephine Ann (Simonis) Harrison. On March 7, 1942, he married Mildred Daron at La Grande.
He worked for Union Pacific Railroad for 33 years, employed primarily in the signal department. He helped install the lights and gates from The Dalles to Huntington. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army in the 817th Tank Destroyer Unit for three years. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Union and was a charter member of the Union Pacific Jr. Old Timers. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars High Valley Post #4060 where he loved to play bingo. He loved to go hunting, fishing, and camping and was a photographer. He also enjoyed growing flowers and gardening.
Survivors include his wife Mildred of Union; daughters and sons-in-law Sandra and Art Spence of Elsie, Cheryl and Art Duff of Ft. Hood, Texas, and Barbara and Bob Young of La Grande; sisters Ruth Hunt and Martha Altenburg of La Grande; 14 grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren. Brothers Albert, Homer and Eldon; sisters Nellie, Grace, Barbara and Anna and a great-granddaughter died earlier.
The Observer; La Grande OR;
Monday, January 3, 1994.
Contributed by: Pearl Bull