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.
Condolences(9)-
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Deacon Emeritus Carolyn Hayes says
March 4, 2023 at 9:35 pmMay this dear family find additional comfort in knowing we are praying for you all. Leo was to our family, a friend of many years. He connected with my husband “Click” Hayes through their love of sports at Norfolk State College and Norfolk Recreation Baseball. Click gave Leo our first ever car, a 1965 blue convertable mustang. He loved old cars and kept them running some how. He was a dear friend who loved his family and was very proud of their accomplishments. We had a wonderful visit with Leo during the Christmas holiday. Leo’s smile and great sports conversations will be missed.
THE HAYES FAMILY OF SONO
Tracey Gilchrist says
March 6, 2023 at 8:47 amMay the peace of God comfort and strengthen you during this time of mourning. – The Gilchrist Family (Smithfield, VA)
Barney and Angela Baker says
March 6, 2023 at 3:03 pmMay God continue to keep, strengthen, comfort and bless each of you during this time of loss. Our continued prayers for the entire family. With love, Barney and Angela Baker
Sampson and Friends says
March 7, 2023 at 11:50 amOn behalf of Lil George, Earl, Tony, Al Gilliam, Ronnie Ricks, Butch, Hotdog and Sampson the family have our Deepest condolences and Prayers. Rest Easy Tall🙏.
Kimberly Drew says
March 8, 2023 at 10:57 pmTo the family of Leo Harrison, I give my deepest heartfelt condolences..
Leo and The Harrison family was always considered family of the Drew’s.
Love to you all..
Vernell Gray says
March 9, 2023 at 8:11 pmTo the Harrison Family
May the peace of God be with you all.You have my deepest condolences.
RIH Leo.
From Vernell G.
2023
Shirley A. Whitaker says
March 17, 2023 at 1:35 pmCondolences to the Family of Leo Harrison, Jr.
I met Leo at Norfolk State University when he was playing baseball. He was a good player and an outstanding person.
As I later began working in Athletics there, a group of us used to attend basketball and football games in the CIAA and would always stop by his friends of St. Paul’s and Waverly and enjoyed cookouts to and from the games.
He loved old cars and knew people who could fix your car for little or nothing or for “tickets to our games.”
He was more like a brother to me and always looked out for me and .my friends. He was truly a gentleman . He loved and protected his family and friends dearly. And that smile of his was just heart warming.
He will truly be missed but God had a better plan for him. Rest in peace my brother.
Dorothy Freeman-Clinkscales says
March 17, 2023 at 11:00 pmWith Sympathy. Sometimes there are just no words to say those things that are deepest in our hearts, Wishing the Harrison family Comfort in the Days Ahead,
Dorothy Freeman Clinkscales
Central High School class of 1964
Sussex Virginia
Annie Jackson says
March 18, 2023 at 10:20 amWE send our sincerest condolences to the family. May God comfort, strengthen and be with you during the difficult time.