Jeffery Harrison

With his family gathered around him in prayer, Ray Jeffery Harrison left this world for the splendor of Heaven and his Savior’s arms on July 18, 2013. Jeff courageously battled cancer for the past four years.

Born on December 15, 1950 in Denver, Colorado, Jeff grew up at the Texas Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock, Texas. He attended schools in Round Rock until his junior year when he moved to Taylor, Texas, graduating from Taylor High School in 1969. Jeff attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas for two years and graduated from Texas State Technical Institute in Waco.

At the age of 13, Jeff met the love of his life, Sandra Kay Wheeless, at a youth fellowship at First Baptist Church, Taylor. He and Sandy were married on August 16, 1975. They were blessed with two beautiful children, Cassandra Rae and Michael Paul, and a precious granddaughter, Peyton Rayn.

For many years Jeff worked in the automotive field. He was employed at the time of his death with Williamson County Equipment Company in Taylor. He loved his job, but mostly, he loved his WCEC family. Always a hard worker, Jeff worked throughout his battle until two weeks before his death.

Jeff loved watching the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Braves, and Texas Aggies while barbequing with friends and family. He spent countless hours coaching, watching, and practicing baseball with his son and loved listening to his daughter play the piano. His granddaughter Peyton was the light of his world. Jeff was known as the fix-it man and was always willing to help anyone in need. Throughout his battle with cancer, Jeff retained his positive attitude, dry sense of humor and always trusted in the “Man upstairs.”

Besides his immediate family, Jeff is survived by sister-in-law Mary Harrison; father-in-law Vardy Wheeless; sister-in-law Shary Stiba; brother-in-law Pat Wheeless and wife Dori; brother-in-law Philip Wheeless and wife Betty; his new found half-sisters Sharon Martin, Deb McDaniel, and Kat Harrison; many nieces and nephews, as well as a large extended family and foster family.
Jeff is preceded in death by his mother, Jessie Jane Nugent; brother Ron Harrison; mother-in-law Louise Wheeless; brother-in-law Randy Stiba; and half-sister Susie Sarakas.

Visitation is 10:00 AM, Saturday, July 27, 2013 at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Taylor, Texas. A Memorial Service immediately following at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church.

Contributions may be made to the Texas Baptist Children’s Home, Round Rock, Texas.