James Lee Harrison

James Lee Harrison was born in Independence, Missouri to Mary Ann Salva Harrison and James William Harrison, Jr. He was also raised by his grandmother, Eva Salva Slanko. As a teenager he worked in the potato fields in the Missouri River bottoms and at a gas station.  He was active in the Boy Scouts.  He served in the U.S. Air Force 1963 – 1967 as an aircraft jet mechanic in Sherman, TX.  While there, he worked for a crop duster, L.T. Cook, and was learning to fly.

On October 10, 1964, Jim married Barbara Lynne Mettes.  Together they had one son in 1966 and one daughter in 1971.

The family returned to the Missouri area and Jim worked at Allis Chalmers Tractors and then started the millwright apprenticeship at Chemagro.  Later, they took a road trip to Montana in 1969 and moved here in 1973.  Jim was a millwright first working at the Bonner lumber mill, being the first millwright at the new plywood plant, and then in 1976 in Frenchtown at the pulp and paper mill.  He was active in the Local 885 United Paperworkers International Union.

Jim built one home in Excelsior Springs, Missouri and two family homes in Montana. The first in Turah and the second a log home on Marshall Grade where the family resided since in 1976. 

Jim liked snowmobiling, fall hunting and setting up hunting camp with friends and family.  He served on the St. Ann's Parish Council in Bonner.  He enjoyed trap shooting for decades taking several awards at the local shoots and was a part of the weekly "Monday Gang" at the Missoula Trap and Skeet Club. He also loved antique engines and helped start the Western Montana Antique Power Association.  He traveled western Montana, Alberta and throughout the Midwest attending shows. Most recently, he was a part of the coffee clubs at the Break Expresso and Wendy’s.

Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara at the family home, Mike Harrison of Clinton, Michelle and Bill Tucker of Clinton along with grandchildren Justin Harrison, Steven and Taylor Tucker and Morgan and Konrad Quigley and one great grandson and two great granddaughters.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery.  There will be no reception following the service.