Ralph Thomas Harrison Sr., age 79 of Buena Vista, left this earth Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Carilion Roanoke MemorialHospital. 

Ralph was born in Buena Vista April 22, 1945, the son of Claude C Harrison and Reesie S Harrison. He was a proud Vietnam veteran, who loved his country and his freedom. 

He was an exceptional pool player, who loved playing horseshoes, shopping, going to auctions, and growing tremendous gardens so that he could give it all away because he loved “just watching it grow.” He was a phenomenal cook who enjoyed sharing his amazing dishes with family and friends. His applesauce cake was sought after by so many every Christmas. 

He never met a stranger and was always the first to help others. His humor drew others to him. His realness was respected because what you see with him is literally what you got. A lover of the mountains, you could find him “shroonin’” (hunting morel mushrooms) or searching for blackberries and grapes to make his delicious wines and pies.

Ralph owned his own business, Harrison’s Painting, for more than 35 years and was proud to show his excellent, completed work throughout the Rockbridge County community. 

He was a family man who loved his wife Denise “more than breath” (his words). You couldn’t see one without the other as they gardened, shopped, planted flowers, cooked, and enjoyed a roller coaster ride in life together. 

Ralph was preceded in death by his amazing mother, Reesie S Harrison. He was a “momma’s boy.” A mother of 10 (seven boys and three girls), she hung the moon in his eyes which often teared up as he spoke of her. Also preceding him in death was his father, Claude C Harrison, who instilled toughness and the affection for a “little taste” of moonshine/bourbon liquor in him.He was the last of the “Harrison Brothers” as they all preceded him in death. They were Claude “Junior,” Cecil, George, Maynard “Chuck,” Harry “Mack,” and Leo.

Those left to carry on his legacy are wife, Denise Harrison; his four sons, Ralph “Thomas” Harrison Jr. and wife Evelin, Michael Harrison and wife Melissa, David Harrison and Derrick Martin; one daughter, Jacqueline and husband AJ Glick; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three sisters, Myrtle Huffman, Virginia Spence and Brenda Harrison; and many special nieces and nephews who adored their “Uncle Ralph.” Ralph also had many friends, with special mention of Butch Ward, Garrett Thomas, Paul William Clark and Victor Martin. 

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, July 5, at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at GreenHill Cemetery.

Family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, July 5, at the funeral home. 

Arrangements are being handled by Bolling, Grose, & Lotts Funeral Home and Cremation Services.