Donald Lee Harrison

Donald Lee Harrison, 93, of Greenville, South Carolina, died peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2026.

Born April 10, 1933, in Brunson, South Carolina, Don was the son of the late Edith Dowling Harrison and John Gary Evans Harrison. The baby of seven children, he was predeceased by his three brothers, John Gary Evans Harrison, Jr., Ralph Marion Harrison, and Brooks Dowling Harrison, and his three sisters, Doris Harrison Ford, Ruth Annette Harrison, and Barbara Harrison Johnson.

Don graduated from Brunson High School in 1951 and from Clemson Agricultural College in 1955, the last year the school operated as an all-male military college before later becoming Clemson University. While at Clemson, he was active in the Corps of Cadets and in student government, serving as vice president of the student body.

Following graduation, he served in an armored division of the United States Army at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Both Clemson and his time in the Army had an indelible impact on his life, reinforcing the strong core values of his upbringing and forming friendships that lasted a lifetime.

In 1957, Don married Barbara McCreight Farr of Columbia, South Carolina. Their marriage brought together a farm boy from the Lowcountry and a city girl from the state capital. Together they settled in Greenville, which became their lifelong home.

Professionally, Don worked in sales and marketing for Steel Heddle Manufacturing Company for nearly 40 years. Because retirement was never in his DNA, he subsequently launched two businesses: Harrison Lighting, in 2005, and Crescent Home Referrals, in 2010, along with his nephew, John Harrison III. His interests in real estate, construction, and gardening reflected his creative instincts and appreciation for a well-designed home.

A longtime member of Christ Church Episcopal, Don was also actively involved in Christ Church Episcopal School, where Barbara taught reading for 25 years. An avid supporter of Clemson University, he was a member of IPTAY and served on the Clemson Board of Visitors. He was a member of Greenville Country Club, the Poinsett Club, and the Metropolitan Club of Greenville.

The consummate gentleman, Don had a hankering for the next task, a talent for woodworking, a designer’s eye, a penchant for a good story or joke, and a love of all things salty-especially boiled peanuts. He allowed himself one sweet indulgence: pralines & cream ice cream, minus the nuts. His refrigerator was always stocked with his personal recipe for pimiento cheese (heavy on the pepper), which he branded “Eye of the Tiger” and generously doled out to neighbors and friends.

As a father, Don led by example—steady and always available, whether for a project in the workshop, sports on TV, or a word of quiet counsel. When his grandchildren arrived, he became “Grandonny,” a name he wore with delight as he proudly cheered on his growing family.

A product of the Greatest Generation, Grandonny exemplified the values for which that generation is remembered: responsibility, sacrifice, integrity, resilience, work ethic, resourcefulness, loyalty, and a strong faith. He consistently modeled these ideals for his family, and this remains his greatest gift and legacy as a husband, father, and grandfather.

Don was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Barbara Farr Harrison, and his grandson, William Massie Meredith III.

He is survived by his daughter, Lynda Harrison Hatcher, and her husband, Robert Vance Hatcher III, of Richmond, Virginia; and his son, Donald Lee Harrison, Jr., and his wife, Patricia Buddendorf Harrison, of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Margaret Meredith Schley, Avery Harrison Meginnis, and Donald Lee Harrison III. Margaret and her husband, George Stanley Schley, of Columbus, Georgia, have two sons, James and Leo. Avery and her husband, Samuel Wood Meginnis, of Dallas, Texas, have three children, Charlie, Henry, and Lucy. Lee resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also leaves Lynda's stepsons, Robert Benjamin Hatcher and William Gray Hatcher. Ben and his wife, Lucy Boyd Hatcher, of Richmond, Virginia, have three children, Ann Whelan, Eloise, and Charlotte. Will and his wife, Morgan Snider Hatcher, of Wayne, Pennsylvania, have two children, Gray and Georgia.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Janneth Cabrera and Monika Johnson for their extraordinary love, care, and support of Don, Barbara, and the Harrison family over the past 15 years. Their devotion was a true blessing.

Following a private interment, a celebration of Don’s life will be held at 2 pm on Friday, October 2, 2026, in The Historic Church of Christ Church Episcopal, 10 North Church Street, Greenville, South Carolina. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in All Saints Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the Barbara Farr Harrison Memorial Fund at Christ Church Episcopal School, 245 Cavalier Drive, Greenville, SC 29607; or Upstate Warrior Solution, 770 Pelham Road, Greenville, SC 29615.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory-Powdersville Road, Easley.