John Earl “Jack” Harrison, age 90, passed away on March 9, 2026.
John Earl “Jack” Harrison, 90, passed away on March 9, 2026, in Forsyth, MO. He was born on March 16, 1935, near Knoxville, MO to John Leslie and Sarah Margaret (Green) Harrison. He married Eleanor Maxine Dooley on November 3, 1956, at the Woods Memorial Christian Church in Excelsior Springs, MO. They were the parents of two children, Leslie and Clay. The family lived in Excelsior Springs until 1969, when they moved to Forsyth, where Eleanor passed away in 2024. He enjoyed his family, sports, playing card games, participating in classic car shows, and working in his yard, particularly maintaining and increasing his acres of zoysia lawn.
Jack was well known throughout the Tri-Lakes Community. He was co-founder of H & H Masonry, which he operated from 1969 until 1996, at which time Clay purchased the business.
Over the years, H & H Masonry became known as one of the best masonry businesses in the area, with many buildings showcasing the excellent craftsmanship of the company, including Ozark Mountain Bank, Branson City Hall, Lodge of the Ozarks, the Forsyth Boys & Girls Club memory wall, and many additions to local schools. He was awarded the 1974 Architectural Craftsman award by the Springfield chapter of the American Institute of Architects for his work on the former Great Southern Savings and Loan building on W 76 in Branson, noted for its unique triangular shape.
Following his retirement from the masonry business, Jack embarked on his second career as Forsyth High School’s head tennis coach in 1995. Known affectionately by his many students as “Old Man Tennis”, “Jackson” and “Cracker Jack”, he devoted hours of coaching to his students and proudly talked about the many players who went to the District and State levels. He felt that all children should have an opportunity to learn to play tennis and frequently offered free clinics during the summer to all who were interested in the sport. In 2015, he retired from coaching but remained in communication with many of his students for the rest of his life. The Forsyth School’s courts were named the Jack Harrison Tennis Complex in 2017.
Jack was an avid sportsman, exceling in basketball during his years at Polo High School. When he was stationed in Germany while in the US Army, he was active in table tennis tournaments and continued competing after his discharge. He and his family spent many happy hours bowling, golfing and playing tennis together over the years, participating in leagues and tournaments. He was ranked 7th in the Heart of America District, tennis age 45 and over.
In 1975, he and four local businessmen built the Taney County Sports Center, which featured inside and outside tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, and many in the community participated in the multiple leagues and tournaments at the Sports Center for over 20 years. As a member of the Taney County Parks Board and Forsyth Park Board, he was actively involved in maintaining and improving county parks and Shadow Rock Park and constructed a tennis backboard on the basketball court at Shoals Bend Park. In 2023, he was the recipient of the Missouri Valley USTA, Missouri District USTA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the area’s tennis for over five decades.
Jack is survived by daughter Leslie Wyman (Rick) of Rueter; son Clay Harrison (Danielle) of Forsyth; grandchildren Valerie Wyman (Abigail) of Springfield; Zachary Burch (Elizabeth) of Galena; and Quincey Shea (Joshua) of Merriam Woods; great-grandchildren Quorrah, Eliana, Zoey, Emmet, Jazmynn, and Zinnia; and his “other son”, mini-Aussie, Rascal. Other survivors include his sister Diane Peoples, Knoxville MO, sister-in-law Bonnie Harrison, Forsyth MO, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Neal Harrison and Rex Harrison, sister Ann Smith and brother-in-law Jim Peoples.
Services will be at the Snapp-Bearden Forsyth Chapel, visitation will be on Friday, March 20, 5:00-7:00pm, with the memorial service on Saturday, March 21, 11:00am.
His remains will be interred in the Snapp Cemetery, Forsyth, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Forsyth School Tennis Program, PO Box 187, 178 Panther St., Forsyth, Mo. 65653
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