Memorial Set for John Dale Harrison who Passed at 81 and was Business Owner, Veteran, and Musician

John Dale Harrison (81) of Grafton, WV passed away at his farm in Knottsville surrounded by family on February 6, 2025. 

John was born on October 22, 1943 to the late Dale Rogers and Ethelyn Ruth Fretwell Harrison.  John was a 1961 graduate of Grafton High School.  During and after high school he worked as a DJ at various radio stations and at local TV stations.  He then attended Grantham School of Electronics in Washington, DC.  John was a veteran of the US Army.  After graduating from signal school in Fort Monmouth, NJ, he was stationed in Pirmasens Germany as a member of the Signal Corp.  He worked in telecommunications for 37 years for the B&O and CSX Railroad.  In the 1970’s he owned and operated his own CB radio repair shop.  After retirement from the railroad, he achieved a Masters Electrician License and recently renewed his amateur HAM radio operator’s license.  

In 1964, John married the love of his life, Carolyn L. DeMoss.  Together they crafted a life on the small farm they purchased in 1970. It was on this farm that he and Carolyn raised their three children and gave them precious memories of family adventures and fostered a love for nature and animals.  From gardening, dairy goat farming to bee-keeping, John was a self-taught master of many disciplines.  He much appreciated the advice and support of his life- long neighbors and friends who helped him in his farm adventures.  In turn, John will always be remembered as a good neighbor, one who was always willing to lend a helping hand and be of service to others. 

John enjoyed music and was a talented musician.  He taught himself to play the acoustic and bass guitars.  He performed with a local bluegrass band and along with his wife Carolyn, shared their musical gifts at church services and other events.  John enjoyed studying and sharing God’s Word with others and his family. He was a member of the Biblical Christian Church of God.  He had a bright sense of humor and his colorful storytelling will be missed.

Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by his sisters, Doris Ann Harrison Ball of Greensburg, PA and Lois R. Harrison DeVito of Utica, NY and his beloved Miniature Schnauzer dogs:  Ruffy, Rudy and Sparkle.  He is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Carolyn and their three children, John Brian Harrison (Kim Sebestyen) of Carlisle, PA, Drs. Elizabeth Harrison Hess (Michael) of Bridgeport, WV, and Benjamin Jay Harrison (Heather) of Grafton, WV.  In addition, surviving are his 11 grand-children, John Casey Dale Harrison (Julia McKay), Hayley Harrison, Abbey Harrison, Nicholas Harrison, Zachary Harrison, Harrison Hess, Madison Hess, Allison Hess Ralston (Jacob), Micah Harrison (Michael Hanlin), Morgan Harrison, and Ashley Harrison and 2 great-grandchildren, Ava and Emmanuel. 

According to John’s wishes, following cremation a Memorial and Celebration of his life will be held at Paradise Cove Community Center, 382 Paradise Cove Rd, Grafton, on Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 11:30AM until 2:00PM with a Celebration of John’s life, at 2:30PM. A Graveside service will be held 11:00AM, Monday, April 28, 2025 at the West Virginia National Cemetery with full Military Honors accorded by the Camp Dawson US Army Honor Guard and the Taylor County Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in John’s memory to a local food bank or charity of choice and plant flowers for the honey bees.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.bartlettfunralhomewv.com Bartlett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Harrison family.