Monterey-San Joaquin County CA Archives Obituaries.....Harrison, John Henry May 2, 1945
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Steve Harrison raleighwood@juno.com April 27, 2008, 3:51 pm

The Rustler-Herald, May 17, 1945
“J. H. HARRISON MEETS DEATH WHILE CROP DUSTING

Another shock came to the community when Saturday was heard the news of the 
death, through contact with high power lines with his airplane, of Johnnie 
Harrison, at Lodi.  An employee of the Atwood Crop Dusters, Salinas, since 
January, he had worked on planes until a little over a week ago when he went to 
Lodi to do crop dusting.  Saturday morning as he finished dusting a vineyard, 
the plane’s propeller caught in some of the power lines, and Johnnie plunged to 
his death.

The popular young man is survived by his wife, Ruth Harrison [Olive Ruth 
Fenix]; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Harrison; two sisters, Mrs. George C. 
Reeder [Hazel Harrison], Ontario; Mrs. M. G. DaRosa [Evelyn Harrison], King 
City.

John Henry Harrison, son of John Walford and Sarah C. Harrison [Sarah Charlotte 
Fenix], was born in San Francisco August 8, 1910.  His early childhood was 
spent in Hernandez [San Benito County] where he received his elementary 
education.  High school days were in King City, John being president of the 
student body during his senior year and the football squad center.  After 
graduation he worked a year on the Hernandez ranch, then became an employee, 
later foreman, of the Southern Pacific Milling Co. in town.

In January [20,] 1935, he and Olive Ruth Fenix of Richmond were married.  They 
made this their home and it was then John took flying lessons from his cousin, 
W. L. (Bill) Harrison, using, with others, the airplane of Cliff Harris and 
Manual DaRosa.  John was Bill’s first solo pilot, and at the local airport 
received both his commercial and private licenses.

Five years ago he gave his full time to flying, and moved to Palo Alto for 
further training.  At the Palo Alto Airport he received his license as an 
instructor, and in December 1941, came to Mesa del Rey to teach aviation 
cadets.  Here he remained until the airport closed, having become squadron 
commander.  He was transferred to Dos Palos, working there until the school was 
closed in December.

The funeral services were held at 10 a.m. yesterday morning [May 16] at Grim’s 
Chapel, with interment in the local cemetery [King City Cemetery].  Mrs. J. M. 
Arnold played organ music during the funeral service, which was conducted by 
the Rev. J. O. Richmond.  The pallbearers were Messrs. Roy Gleason, Melvin 
Fowler, Cliff Harris, Herbert Pledger, Roy Bray and J. W. McKinsey.

Many of the men who were companion civilian instructors while all were at Mesa 
del Rey came from their various homes to attend the funeral of their highly 
esteemed comrade, among them Frank Moore, Tex Harris, and Russ Hill..” END


Additional Comments:
“The Rustler-Herald” (King City, California). May 17, 1945 (Thursday). Page 1, 
column 7.

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