Howard Lee Harrison Sr

1934-2023

Howard Lee Harrison Sr. was born July 9, 1934, to the late Alonzo Harrison and Arie Anna O'Neal Harrison in Cedar Lane, Texas. Howard was affectionally called Diley by his Texas family and Happy or Harry by all his friends.

Howard was a believer and began his spiritual journey at a very young age when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior while being a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Cedar Lane, Texas. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Santa Maria, California at the time of his passing.

Howard began his education at Mabel Kennedy Elementary School in Cedar Lane and graduated from Herman High School (class of 1952) in Van Vleck, Texas where he was a talented athlete competing in basketball, football and wrestling. He also excelled academically moving ahead in high school graduating a year early.  Shortly after his commencement, he relocated to Los Angeles, California and enrolled in Los Angeles City College while he resided with his mother's identical twin sister Joe Anna O'Neal Sidney.

In 1953, Howard began 23 years of a distinguished military career when he enlisted in the United States Air Force.   In his role as Squadron Personnel Supervisor, Howard earned honors and accommodations on his way to achieving the rank of Master Sergeant.  After his military retirement, he transitioned into the civilian workforce.  He was employed by The California State Employment Development Department as a Veterans Employment Representative.  Over the next decade he continued as a manager in the employment development and training field before accepting a position with Aerial Service Corporation as Project Manager.   He was directly responsible for the overall operational management and controls of a new 2.5-million-dollar U.S. government janitorial/custodial contract at Vandenberg Air Force Base until 1991.  He later worked as Office Manager with his longtime friend, Homer Colquitte, at Fox's Tax Service until his 2nd retirement in 2005.  In 1955, while stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, Howard was introduced to a beautiful young educator who was in town visiting her sister and brother-in-law.  Later that year, after a brief courtship, on September 24 ^th Howard and Dorothy Lee Alston were joined in holy matrimony.  Howard and Dorothy (Dot) began a wonderful 58-year journey beginning in Tucson where Howard's Air Force career led them to stops in Washington, DC and Tokyo Japan, until finally settling at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, CA, in 1964.  Over the next 14 years Howard and Dot blossomed from a couple to a family of nine by adding seven children along the way: Howard Jr., Lenora, Arieanna, Nyla, Alonzo, Cynthia, and "J".

Howard was a family man, a dedicated husband who loved and adored his wife and 8 children; accountable, respected, reliable, humorous, loving, nurturer, provider and role model are a few words that describe him best.

He loved music. He and Dot, along with long-time friends Stacy and Marguerite McKee, attended the Monterey Jazz and San Jose Blues festivals for twenty-plus years. He loved golf. He began playing while stationed in Japan and perfected his game over the years.  He enjoyed sandbagging and pocketing as many skins as possible before heading to the 19 ^th hole to enjoy a few rounds with his buddies where somehow the scores always seemed to get lower as the tab got higher. But nothing gave him more joy than when his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren began to play, watch and love the game as much as he did.  Howard was active in the community. He was an avid fundraiser. As a lifetime member of the NAACP Lompoc/Santa Maria Chapter, he was one of the chief organizers of their annual golf tournament raising thousands of dollars for local scholarships. He was also a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars -#2521, The American Legion - Post #0534, Santa Maria Elks - Lodge #1538, Life Member of Fraternal Order of Eagles – Aerie #1745, Santa Maria Loyal Order of the Moose - Lodge #719, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) - Golden State Chapter #56 and Air Force Sergeants Association. He was a proud veteran who never stopped serving. Each year he would place flags on fallen vets' graves to honor their service. He volunteered his time and donated to many causes in the community and nationwide. Many sought him out for advice and mentorship. He would often be seen attending youth sporting events and various other activities in support of his children and grandchildren but also the children and grandchildren of his many friends in the community.

On March 16, 2023, Howard Lee peacefully entered the golden gates of Heaven.

Howard Lee was preceded in death by his loving wife Dorothy Lee Alston Harrison of 58 years, one son Howard Lee Harrison Jr., his parents Alonzo Harrison and Arie Anna O'Neal Harrison, brothers Rayfield Partain and Samuel Farris, and sisters Georgia Griggs, Johnnie Helms and Willie Williams.

He leaves to cherish his memory, children: Linda Jones (Dan) Houston, TX, Lenora Jeter (Roy) Paso Robles, CA, Arieanna Mainhart (Ron) Grover Beach, CA, Nyla Simmons (Charles "Mandy") Lompoc, CA, Alonzo Harrison (Rhonda) Lompoc, CA, Cynthia Wiley (Randy) Lompoc, CA , "J" Harrison (April) Goodyear, AZ, sisters: Dorothy DeVaughan (Johnnie) Pearland, TX, Joyce Roberson, Free Port, TX,  Ernestine Sidney Bailey, Houston, TX, Bertha Edison (Robert), Sugar Land, TX,  Linda Griggs, Rosharon, TX, Sister-in-law Cleopatra Ivey-McRae, MD, Grandchildren: Victor Gilmore, Kevin Langley Jr, Nathan Harrison, Casey Langley, Tracy Green, Isaac Simmons, Randy Wiley, Jr., C.J. Simmons, Christopher Murphy, Joshua Jeter, Robin Grant, Jasmine Murphy, Dakota Harrison, Dannika Harrison, Camille Butler, Dominique Harrison, Jaysa Harrison, Eryn Jones, Great grandchildren: Kylia Harrison, Kyana Harrison, Darien Langley, Malakai Langley, Tayson Langley, Jaren Langley, Braelyn Langley, Emme Simmons, Zayden Simmons, Zander Simmons, Irie Gorham, Iris Gorham, Harmony Butler-Rencher, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of extended family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 11-5 pm and 6-7 pm Starbuck-Lind Mortuary Chapel.  Funeral service Friday, April 14, 2023, at 11 am Trinity Church of the Nazarene 500 East North Avenue, Lompoc, CA, followed by burial at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.