Harry Lee Harrison Jr.

Native Midlander Harry Lee Harrison Jr. died Saturday, May 29, 2021, at the age of 86 after a long illness.

He leaves behind his devoted wife of 55 years, Marilyn McKnight Harrison; son Mack and daughter-in-law Monica; son Timothy, daughter-in-law Heather, and granddaughters Emery and Trinity; sister, Shirley Harrison Ireland, and numerous nieces and nephews. Another sister, Dorothy Harrison Martyn, preceded him in death.

He was born June 24, 1934, to Harry Lee (Hap) Harrison Sr. and Florence Parr Harrison in Midland, where he and his sisters grew up. He graduated from Midland High School and attended Texas Tech University, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, before serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He moved back to Midland, where he met Marilyn, and they were married on July 1, 1965.

Harry was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, where he served for a time as head usher and a greeter and on various committees. He was also a participant in the Alpha and Omega Sunday School Class.

He spent his career in the oil industry, working as a chemist for several local companies before starting his own business, Texa-Chem Specialties, more than 40 years ago.

Harry acquired a lifelong interest in the theater in junior high school, where he began performing in school plays. He volunteered for many years with Midland Community Theatre, spending time onstage, backstage, and in the scene shop. He received many awards recognizing his contributions to the theater, including the fourth Ham Hock of the Year Award in 1962. Some four decades later, Harry and fellow set builder Bill Larkin received a great deal of acclaim for creating a rainstorm on stage for MCT’s production of Singin’ In The Rain.

Harry was a longtime participant in the Summer Mummers, where, in his words, he served in every capacity from producer to janitor. In addition to the above, his contributions included actor, director, house manager, and, most notably, the role of the villain in the annual melodrama. He also authored two scripts for the Summer Mummers: Buffaloed On The Bayou, or Revenge Of The Yellow Rose, and Misled Down The Mississippi, or Just Say Neaux.

Harry directed the 50th anniversary season of the Mummers in 1998 and several of the silent, black-and-white moviolas that were incorporated into the melodramas. He was also the self-proclaimed head pyrotechnician for the Mummers, as he liked to make things “go boom.” His efforts for the Mummers earned him a place in the Mule Train Gallery at the Yucca Theater, home of the annual melodrama.

Harry’s reputation for writing melodramas led to requests from local organizations, and he contributed short scripts for use at various events in and around Midland, including statewide conventions and local civic group activities.

In 1999, Harry became one of the founding members of Midland’s second community theater organization, the Maverick Players—because, as he liked to say, he was the only one with a truck to haul sets around. As with the other troupes, he constructed, acted, and directed. Most notably, he played a character that another author based on Harry in Real Close To Broadway, a fictionalized depiction of the McLaren Playwriting Comedy Competition, which Harry co-chaired.

In addition to the theater, Harry had a passion for astronomy and was a member of West Texas Astronomers. He owned several telescopes, including a six-inch reflecting scope that he built himself. He also was a former member of the Terminal Lions Club, which met at the Midland airport.

He belonged to the Purple Haze Jeep Club, whose members designated him as the group’s “President-Until-Death.” Harry accompanied the club on many jeeping trips in the Big Bend area, most notably around the time of the Terlingua International Chili Cookoff, where he judged chili competitions. His experiences with the cookoffs led Harry to join the Friends of CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International).

Harry took an avid interest in history, particularly World War II, and amassed a large library of books on the subject. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, at the Branch next to Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland. The memorial service will take place at First United Methodist Church in Midland at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 3, after a private burial.

Remembrances in Harry’s name may be sent to the Good Samaritan Fund at First United Methodist Church in Midland, the Maverick Players, Midland Community Theatre, Summer Mummers, or the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made to www.npwelch.com.