Jimmy Harrison

SPRING CITY - James W. “Jimmy” Harrison Jr., 82 died Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at Rhea Medical Center.

He was born on April 6, 1938 to the late James and Daisy Leigh Steincipher Harrison in Rhea Springs. He had one brother Ray. They moved to Spring City when Watts Bar Dam was built and Watts Bar Lake was formed. The lake covered their farm and home with water. Jimmy attended Spring City Schools where he was an avid sportsman playing both basketball and football. He graduated from Spring City High School in 1957. He attended Tennessee Tech in Cookeville for two years.

Jimmy married Dot Boofer in 1961. He served in the Army at Fort Gordon and Fort Benning, Georgia. He was an instructor for vehicle repairs to Army trucks, tanks and jeeps. He served in Seoul, South Korea where he worked as an Army mechanic keeping all the vehicles in working order.

After serving in the military, he worked for DuPont in Chattanooga for five years. In 1970, he opened his own business, Harrison’s Garage at the back of the Shell station on Piccadilly and Highway 27. He moved his business later to North Front Street in Spring City. He made repairs to cars, trucks, tractors, and other farm equipment for most people in Spring City regardless of their ability to pay.

Jimmy’s hobbies were bass and crappie fishing with his sons and friends. He enjoyed hunting dove, duck, deer or any other wild animal. He coached Dixie Youth baseball and Spring City Red Dog football. In addition to coaching, he did repairs to the field and transported the boys to practice and to games. He also announced games and was a substitute father to twenty boys ages five to twelve years old. Jimmy attended the First Baptist Church of Spring City.

He was also preceded in death by his wife Dorothy “Dot” Boofer Harrison, stepmother Anna B. Harrison and brother Ray Harrison.

Survivors include his sons James W. “Jimmy” Harrison III of Dayton and Jeremy W. (Laura) Harrison of Flushing, Michigan and grandson Jacob W. Harrison of Flushing, Michigan.

Visitation and services for Jimmy will be private. Burial will be in the Spring City Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Spring City Care Center Craft Fund in care of Spring City Care and Rehabilitation Center, 331 Hinch Street, Spring City, TN 37381.

Vaughn Funeral Home, Spring City is in charge of arrangements. Please visit our website at www.vaughn-funeral-home.com to share memories and condolences with the family of Jimmy Harrison.