Rev. Clifford L. Harrison
The Rev. Clifford L. Harrison, 90, died Feb. 11, 2018, at Homewood at Crumland Farms in Frederick. A funeral service was held there March 10 with the Revs. Barbara Kershner Daniel and Suzanne Morris officiating.
Clifford L. Harrison was born in Newburgh, N.Y., Sept. 16, 1927. He was raised in Ridgewood, N.J. and after graduating from Ridgewood High School, attended Drew University for one year, but withdrew in 1945 to enlist in the Army Air Corps. He served as a control tower operator in Japan.
He was discharged in 1947 and enrolled in Upsala College in East Orange, N.J., where he met his future bride, Dorothy "Dottie" Lilja. They married in 1952.
He graduated with a B.A. in history in 1951. After a few years as a probation officer, Harrison graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in1965. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1979.
During his career as a United Methodist minister, he served Parkwood in Edgewater (1963-67); West Liberty UMC in Baltimore County (1967-70); Emanuel UMC in Catonsville (1970-79); Glenelg UMC (1979-87); and Concord-St. Andrews UMC (1987-93), when he retired. His interest in bereavement led him to do work as a part-time chaplain at Howard County General Hospital and with Hospice of Howard County.
After he and his wife moved to Crumland Farms in 2002, he started a support group for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. He also started a retired clergy support group.
Harrison will be remembered for his compassion, sense of humor and his love of music, art and nature. He was a devoted Baltimore Orioles fan.
Survivors include his wife Dorothy L. Harrison; two sons, Slim Harrison of Emmitsburg and David Harrison of Boston, and their wives; daughters, Joyce Walsh of Lawrence, Kansas, and Judy Johnson of Columbia, and their husbands; three grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, a great granddaughter; and a brother.
Condolences may be sent to Dorothy Harrison, 7407 Willow Road, Frederick, MD 21702.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Homewood Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 250, Williamsport, MD 21795 or to Hospice of Frederick County, P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702.