Robert C. "Bob" Harrison

Robert C. "Bob" Harrison, 74, passed this life on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. Born in Little Rock, Ark., he was the only child of Robert and Zerita Muldrow Harrison. He completed High school at Scipio A. Jones High School and earned a B.S. degree from Philander Smith College in Little Rock. He spent the early years of his career at Reynolds Aluminum Company in Bauxite, Ark.; Lockheed Missiles Co. In Sunnyvale, Calif., and relocated to Huntsville, Ala., in 1968. Bob worked as a Human Factors Engineer at Matrix Co. in Huntsville before establishing ownership of the Bob Harrison Ford & Lincoln Mercury Dealership, in Fayetteville, Tenn., an enterprise which earned him the national honor and rank of the 64th largest black owned corporation in America. He later became a registered Broker on the New York Stock Exchange with Merrill Lynch. A gifted visionary and entrepreneur, he co-owned and established several local business endeavors including USA Land Development and Consulting. A long-time civil rights activist and community volunteer, he was elected Commissioner of Madison County, Alabama, District VI on Nov. 2, 2004. His district represents over 56,000 residents of northwest Huntsville/Madison County. He was re-elected to that position in Nov., 2012, and re-elected for a third term in Nov., 2016. As Commissioner, he has worked tirelessly to economically build and rebrand the depressed northwest sector of Huntsville, establishing such entities as the Northwest Huntsville Community Service Organization, Inc., the Northwest Community Learning Center, development of a Former Offenders Changed For Unconditional Success (FOCUS) Program, and managing a Project Harvest Program that plants and harvests fresh garden produce for the poor, elderly and homebound. In Feb. 2013 construction was completed on the Robert "Bob" Harrison Senior Wellness and Advocacy Center, a beautiful 20,000 square foot, state of the art Activity Center. Envisioned by the Commissioner himself, the Center serves as a living testament to and legacy of his service to Huntsville and Madison County, Alabama. Commissioner Harrison had become affectionately known as "The People's Commissioner" by many who knew and interacted with him. As County Commissioner, Bob was an active member of local, state, and national government organizations, including being elected Second Vice President of the National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO) and Subcommittee Vice Chair (Law Enforcement Committee) of the National Association of County Officials (NACO)'s Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee. Throughout his life he was actively involved with numerous civic and charitable organizations. He was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Robert leaves to mourn his devoted wife and sweetheart of 51 years, Dr. Izora P. Harrison; daughter, Lynda and husband, Edward Gaines and their children, Amberly Brooke, Ashlyn Synclaire and Harrison Edward; and son, Michael Robert and wife, Chandra Renee Harris and their daughter, Hannah Mackenzie Harrison. The Harrison family will greet guests from 6-8:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 at the Royal Chapel of Memories at 4315 Oakwood Ave., Huntsville, Ala. 35810. Funeral service for Commissioner Harrison will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church at 1919 Brandontown Road, Huntsville, Ala. 35816. Interment will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens. Commissioner Harrison will lie in repose two hours prior to funeral time.