Obit of Harrison, Ell Ray - Creek County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Lovena Norton (Deceased) 28 Mar 2010 Return to Creek County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/creek/creek.htm ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::NOT LISTED Ell Ray Harrison Published: Monday, October 27, 2008 3:09 PM CDT Ell Ray Harrison, 100 yrs. old, died Oct. 24, 2008. He was born to parents Ell Sanders Harrison and Ettie Lee Pipes Harrison on May, 8, 1908. He married Lou Agnes "Toots" Ball on June 30, 1930. Ray Harrison came to Sapulpa May 16, 1942, from Oklahoma City’s Kerr Department Store as assistant manager of shoes to manage Marshall Shoe Store in Sapulpa. In three years, Marshall’s expanded in Holdenville, Seminole, Wewoka, Muskogee, and Okmulgee. Ray was promoted to general manager of the three stores. Ray and Kenneth Harrison started Harrison Clothiers in 1946. He left Marshall Shoes January 1, 1949. Ray helped re-organize Chamber of Commerce with Otis Rule and Howard Gilliam and raised a budget to pay a full-time secretary. He helped start the Kiwanis Club with Judge Tom Harris, and Ted Olsen …#8220; still charter members. He started Buddy Banquet for Senior Boys to encourage them to stay in school or College. Our Government asked Civic Clubs to sponsor this event to tell the boys they needed officers. Under Glenn Stemmill, President of the Kiwanis Club …#8220; Kiwanis Club and Elks Club sponsored jointly …#8220; Ray was asked to chair. Lou Stuart, president of the Chamber of Commerce, asked Ray to organize the Community Chest …#8220; now known as The United Way, a plaque was presented. July 5, 1942 moved membership to First Baptist Church Sapulpa from First Baptist Leveland, Texas, became Deacon 1972 Pastor Gary. Cook, made Deacon Emeritus March 16, 1997 by Rev. Sam Porter. Developed retail Promotion with Jay Yeaqer's help. Sapulpa took two years to sell it to the retailers. We raised $10,000to $12,000 every 6 months. Retail sales increased some 45%. We had a drawing once a week on Monday nights and stayed open until 9:00 p.m. every Monday night. We did this for several years. When this played out the Green Ring Society was started. Guy Berry helped Ray to hide it. It wound up at the High School Cafeteria, where we raised $12,000 and went back to giving $500 at each drawing for six months. Each drawing was for one week. We also had newspaper advertisements, radio, television, billboard, several companies located like, TG&Y, Humpty Dumpty, Security National Bank, Chastain Department Store, Franks Department Store. Ell Ray Harrison is preceded by children Bebe Lue Rae Harrison Vincent born April 2, 1932 and died Feb. 27, 2008. Robert Ell Harrison born Nov. 25, 1933 died Jan. 17, 1999. He is survived by 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; one brother T.R. Harrison; one sister Lillian Harrison Bramblett; numerous nieces and nephews. Also survived by son-n-law Henry Elmer Vincent and daughter-in-law Mrs.Robert Ell Harrison. Visitation will be at Smith Funeral Home, Monday Oct. 27, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at First Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008. There were 44 high school boys who worked for him, graduated and went on to college and have been successful. The above obituary as submitted with minor editing --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Creek County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/creek/creek.htm