W.L. "Bud" Harrison

W. L. (Bud) Harrison, 92 of Odessa, TX passed away Friday March 18, 2016 at Madison Medical Resort in Odessa, TX. He was born Nov. 30, 1923 in Greenville, TX to Clinton & Ruth Harrison. He was the only son in a family of 8. He was also a twin brother to Mildred, in a family of 2 sets of twins. He spent his early years on the plains of Texas as the son of a school teacher, working on farms of family & friends, plowing fields & planting cotton. He loved driving tractors and working on them, leading to his learned skills as a mechanic later in his life. He worked on a farm until WWII and drafted into the Navy in Lubbock, TX in 1943. He served 3 yrs in the Navy in the Pacific Theater on a Communications Ship “The USS Burrows. He was the signalman for the fleet and also the Morse Code & Radio Operator. He was one of the “Greatest Generation” and served his country honorably. He was honorably discharged and eventually wound up in Odessa in 1947. He met the “love of his life”, Pearl Moore in Monahan’s TX while working in the oil fields. They eventually wound up in Odessa, where he opened an automotive repair shop on E. 2nd Street, Harrison’s Garage, which has been at the same location for over 60 yrs. During these early years of the 50’s, he and Pearl raised a family of 3 children, 2 daughters and one son. He was known as one of the best mechanics in Odessa. He loved to talk politics and loved President Reagan! He loved camping, and loved his big extended family, his children, grandchildren, and great grands. He was known by all of the Grandchildren as “PaPa Bud!” Many wonderful times were spent camping with family and kids in Colo., NM, & TX. He served the Odessa community in his business and has always been well thought of by everyone he came in contact with. He loved people and was a servant to his fellow man. He was a wonderful example of a son, husband, brother, father, grandfather, & friend. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him. Most importantly he was a Christian who loved The Lord. He was a longtime member of what was once Temple Baptist Church in Odessa, and a Charter Member of Life Change Baptist Church at the same location in Odessa. “Find rest O my soul, in God alone, my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God! He is my mighty rock, my refuge. I will trust in him at all times and pour out my heart to him, for He is my refuge. AMEN. Psalms 62:5-8 Bud is survived by one son, Randy (Linda) Harrison & one daughter, Debbie (Fred) Watkins all of Odessa; two sisters, Juanita Rutar of Lubbock, TX and Ruthelle Finnerty of Odessa; 5 grandchildren, Steven & Scott Watkins, Shelbi (Harrison) Burton & Coby Harrison, & Lynn Babcock and their spouses. & 9 great, grandchildrenHe was preceded in death by his beloved wife Pearl and one daughter Lanis Babcock, His Mom and Dad, Cinton and Ruth Harrison and 5 of his 7 sisters, Marie Riggs, Billie Chain, Mildred Thorn, (his twin) Pansye Goldston, & Roselle Born. Viewing will be held Monday, March 21, 2016 at American Heritage Funeral Home with family with receiving visitors between 6-8 p.m. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 22, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at American Heritage Cemetery. All arrangements are entrusted to American Heritage Cemetery, Funeral Home and Crematory.

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W.L. "Bud" Harrison

November 30, 1923 - March 18, 2016