John C. Harrison, the longest serving Justice in the history of the Montana Supreme Court, died on Friday morning, November 11th, in Helena, Montana. He was 98 years old.
A lawyer, judge, and long-time public servant, Judge Harrison was a keen observer of the human condition and concerned with social justice throughout his life. As young welfare worker during the Depression, assisting starving families across rural Montana, he witnessed hardship that, he later recalled, had “a tremendous impact emotionally and politically on me.” In the 1950s, as the Democratic County Attorney in Helena, he often went head-to-head with Wellington D. Rankin, one of the most complex and powerful Republicans in Montana history. “He wanted somebody…he could control,” Harrison later recalled. “I was not that man.”
John Conway Harrison was born on April 28, 1913, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the first of three children of Dr. Francis Randall Harrison, a dentist, and Ethel Conway Harrison, a teacher and women’s rights advocate. A family of passionate political beliefs, his father a Republican and his mother a Democrat, they moved eventually to Montana, where Mrs. Harrison became Dean of Women at Montana State College (now University) in Bozeman and Dr. Harrison established a dental practice in Harlowton.
Judge Harrison said that he became interested in the field of law as a young man because of a judge who sometimes ate across the table from him at a boardinghouse in Harlowton, where he moved with his father in 1928. The judge would flip soup from a spoon and open his mouth just as the soup arrived (and sometimes miss its mark.) But he won young John’s admiration with self-deprecating stories, especially one John later loved to tell in which the town drunk asked the judge, never a well-dressed man, if he was going to the masquerade party in town that weekend. No, the judge replied, I wouldn’t have anything to wear. Well, the drunk said, “you zip up your pants and put on a fresh tie and I’ll go sober, and they won’t know either one of us.”
A self-professed late bloomer as a student, John quickly displayed the social enterprise that would characterize his life. At age 15 in Harlowton, already an Eagle Scout, he organized a Boy Scout troop and acted as scoutmaster. He played football and basketball for Harlowton High School, recalling later that basketball games against the town of Judith Gap required extra toughness because of the small church gymnasium, flanked with legions of church ladies who stuck their hatpins into the Harlowton players every time they in-bounded the ball.
In the fall of 1931, John attended Montana State College in Bozeman where his mother had recently become a dean. He studied agricultural economics and played football for the Bobcats, from 1931 through 1933. He was also on the track team. In 1932 John joined the Beta Rho chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, beginning what was to be an almost 80 year membership as a devoted Sigma Chi.
In 1935 he enrolled at the University of Montana Law School in Missoula. There he met the love of his life, Virginia Flanagan, a brilliant undergraduate from Great Falls. “She was so bright she could read the entire book the night before an examination and get an A,” he later recalled. Their courtship was interrupted when John’s injudicious exchange of words with a professor earned him an involuntary “sabbatical” from law school at the end of his second year.
In the summer of 1936, a fraternity brother helped John get a job driving “Red Buses” in Glacier National Park. He was a Gear Jammer the summers of 1936, 1937, 1939 and 1940. John’s love for Glacier continued throughout his lifetime where his family vacationed every summer on Lake McDonald.
In 1937 John left for Washington, D.C., where he discovered that the best job open to a former president of Montana’s Young Democrats with two years of law school under his belt was inking letters onto the spines of books in the Library of Congress. The following year he was admitted to George Washington University Law School, where he earned top marks and graduated in 1940.
The U.S. Army called him into active service in September of 1940. In August of 1941, he and Virginia Flanagan were married in Great Falls, Montana. His Army service with the 7th Corp posted him to England in 1943 where he worked on the planning for D-Day Operation Overlord. He followed the 7th Corp through France, Holland and into Germany for V-E Day in 1945, and after the war remained in the Army Reserve, retiring as a full Colonel.
He and Virginia moved to Helena in 1946, where they raised six children – Nina, Bob, Molly, Pat, Randy, and Lee. In November of 1960, in what John described as a “landslide victory” of 1,560 votes statewide, he was elected a Justice on the Montana Supreme Court and was re-elected in 1966, 1972, 1978 and 1986. Prior to his 34-year tenure on the Montana Supreme Court, he served as County Attorney for Lewis and Clark County, City Attorney in East Helena, and legal council for the Fort Belknap Tribe.
Judge Harrison was active in a wide array of national and community organizations. He was elected National President of the American Lung Association in 1967 and was a member of the Helena Kiwanis Club for over 60 years. He loved scouting, serving for more than 20 years as scoutmaster of Troop 108 and for decades on the Montana Boy Scout Council. A strong supporter of Carroll College in Helena, he also spent many years on the school’s President’s Council.
He is pre-deceased by his first wife, the former Virginia Flanagan, who died in 1984, and by their son Pat Harrison. The Judge’s second wife, the former Ethel Harrison whom he met while she was Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court, died in 1998.
His survivors include his daughter Nina Harrison (granddaughter Aidan Myhre, great grandsons Andrew Frank and Peter Frank), son Bob Harrison (daughter-in-law Tanya, granddaughter Taryn Harrison), daughter Molly Howard (son-in-law Dr. Raymond Howard), son Randy Harrison (grandchildren Lindsay Harrison, Chase Harrison and John Harrison), daughter Dr. Lee Harrison (son-in-law Dr. Fred Olson, grandsons Chris Olson and Patrick Olson), his sister Betty Bailey, niece Mary Lynn Bailey, and nephew Bob Bailey.
Known to all as “Judge,” John Harrison not only became a judge and an extraordinary public servant, but also an incomparable storyteller. His enthusiasm for the state of Montana never flagged, from the moment he arrived in 1928. On his desk he kept the words of John Steinbeck: “I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition and even some affection. But with Montana, it is love.”
The Harrison family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Jay Larson and the staff of the Rocky Mountain Care Center and Hospice of St. Peters for the excellent care provided to John.
Funeral services will be held at St. Peter’ Episcopal Cathedral 11:00 a.m. Saturday November 19, 2011. A Rite of Committal ceremony with military honors will follow at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Harrison. A reception will then be held at the Montana Club at 1:15 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
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Ann Power Scherner says
ATo Nina, Bob, Molly, Randy and Lee,
I was saddened to hear of your dad’s passing and feel honored to have known him. He was such a fine, honorable man and what a role model growing up. I have such fond memories of both your mom and dad when the Powers and Harrisons were together over many years for many occasions – I think my favorite was the Vigilante Parade when we got a front row seat at your home!! Your dad will be missed so much but leaves behind a wonderful legacy. My condolences to all of you.
Fondly,
Ann Power Scherner
Arlene Hunt says
To Dr, Harrison and famillies, I am so sorry for the passing of your dad, he was such a very nice man, treasure all his memeories forever.
Bill & Ramona Holt says
We send our heartfelt condolences to all the family, but especially to Randy. Your family has made such a mark on Montana History and the progress of the state. Dean Harrison was Dean at MSU (MSC) during our college days. She also was a jewel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bob Musselman says
Deepest regards to the Harrison family upon the loss of “Judge John.”
Judge John united Teresa and me in marrage in November, 1988. I have always held him in the highest respect and send my sympathy and prayers to you.
Carol E. Kalberg Bonner says
Your Dad & ours went to the same high school, spent many an evening at military ceremonies & dances, was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Montana with my father in law, China & John were constant visitors in Harlo when I was a nurse there, your Dad performed my sister’s wedding, he gave me wonderful advice through the years & I loved our visits in his various homes in Helena. My brother, Louis L. Kalberg & I want you to know you are in our thoughts & your parents will continue to be in our conversations through the years to come.
Most sincerely,
Carol Kalberg Bonner
Louis L. Kalberg
Charles C. Lovell says
We were deeply saddened over your great loss. John was a good friend and a giant in Montana legal history. His many accomplishments and faithful public service will be long remembered.
Chuck Jezick says
Dear Harrison Family
It was sad to hear about John’s passing. He was my scout master in Troop 108 as a kid.
I made it in to see him at the care center several times over the last few months.
My thoughts and prayers with you at this time.
Chuck Jezick
Dan G. Cederberg says
Dear Harrison Family – There are so many fond memories of Judge Harrison. The Judge truly brought life and joy to all who knew him. I remember the Judge for his work ethic, his dedication to Sigma Chi and being the quintessential Montanan.
I observed him to routinely be the first Judge at work and the last Judge to leave in the year I worked for him at the Court. As I remember the 1979 – 1980 year I clerked for the Judge, the Sigma Chi team of Judge Harrison, Todd Hammer and I produced more opinions than any of the other judges. The Judge really did treat Todd and me as team members. The Judge mentored his clerks in many ways including critical thinking, legal writing, professional ethics and the practicalities of practicing law. He also threw in some political wisdom. The Judge’s mentoring had a lifelong impact on me both professionally and personally for which I am forever grateful.
The Judge’s dedication to Sigma Chi is legendary. He hired countless Sigma Chis and gave them the opportunity to be clerks. The clerkships were an incredible boost to their legal careers. Being honored by the National Fraternity as a Significant Sig was truly justified. The ultimate sign of his dedication to Sigma Chi are his sons and grandsons that are Sigs.
The Judge’s knowledge of Montana history was encyclopedic. That is probably understandable because he lived on the inside of much of it. The Judge attended both Montana universities, grew up, went to war with and was elected to office by Montana’s Greatest Generation and lived in Helena at the center of Montana politics for more than 50 years. The Judge probably knew more about what really happened in Montana politics between 1950 and 2000 than anyone. To his credit, he turned that knowledge to a lifetime of public service.
Our deepest condolences on your loss. We look forward to sharing remembrances of the Judge’s life at the services on Saturday.
Dan & Forey Cederberg and Family
Dennis McSweeney says
My condolences to the family of a very great man. As a Beta Rho Sigma Chi I remember Judge Harrison stopping by the house in Bozeman and what a profound impact he had on my life. We lost a great Montanan.
Dennis, Laurinda palmer and family says
Dear Lee, Fred, Patrick and Chris
We want to express our sincere condolences to your family. Your father and grandfather was an outstanding man who was loved and respected by all who knew him. Our prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Dennis, Laurinda, Cristi, Denny and James Palmer
Dorothy and Mike McCarter says
To the family of Judge John,
Mike and I were saddened to learn of the judge’s passing. He was a wonderful person and a great judge. He served as an inspiration to many attorneys and judges around the state.
He will be greatly missed.
Doug Wold says
Harrison family: Linda and I were deeply saddened by John’s death. He made it possible for me to be accepted into ARMY JAGC which was a highlight of our life. We especially enjoyed his humor and kthe many opportunities we had over the years to visit with him and Ethel. He was a good, fair, and decent man and will be missed.
Ed Sheehy says
John C. was a great man and Judge. I entered private practic, after a clerkship with the Court, at his insistence that I needed to be in the real world. Almost 34 years later, following his advice, was the best decision I made
He will be missed
Helen Richter says
To the Harrison family,
I was sorry to learn that Judge Harrison passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
God Bless
Helen Richter
Hope Dorman says
Harrison Family,
Such a wonderful man with such a wonderful family! An extraordinary life well lived. I feel blessed to have known him. Your all in my thoughts on this journey.
Hope
Jack Sherick says
Dear Harrison Family,
My deepest condolences to you. John was a great man and will be truly missed.
I’m sorry I will not be able to be with you today to honor his passing.
He was a Distinguished Eagle Scout, and provided leadership on every level throughout his life. Through his influence with Gov. Forrest Anderson, he started an annual Report to the Governor giving the current Eagle Scouts the opportunity to meet with the Governor and present the status of Scouting in Montana. John personally attended the event for more than 40 years and in legislature session years, proudly marched the Eagle Scouts into each chamber, having the Scouts introduce themselves and receiving recognition from their representatives and senators. Then a lunch John would share some comments and stories with everyone. This is just one example of John’s devotion to youth and his service to all of us.
His Distinguished Eagle plague, presented in 1977, is at the Great Falls Boy Scout Service Center. It contains a summary of his career accomplishments, his community service, and his scouting history.
Our country and state, and the Boy Scouts of America have lost a great citizen, leader, and role model. I was proud to call him my friend and share you lost. God Bless John, you, and America.
Jack Sherick
Jerry and Aggie Padbury says
We are so sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a wonderful man and a good friend. I will miss his booming voice, and quick laughter. He and I served the Boy Scouts of Hawthorne school together, and I always enjoyed his counsel and teachings. I know that Heaven will be glad to welcome a man like John.
Jodie Foley says
My condolences to the Harrison Family…and to the state of Montana. We have lost an amazing man…advocate for the less fortunate, voice for justice, distiguished veteran, grand story teller and deeply devoted family man. His contributions to Montana law and Montana History were tremendous. He truly will be missed.
Julie A Broadwater Gambill says
Lee,
Sorry for your losses.Warm thoughts for you and your’s at this time.
Julie
Martha MacDonald says
The entire MacDonald family is very sad to see the Judge leave us. No one else will ever call me “Tex”. We loved both the Judge & China and will always remember them. They left great legacies. Love & Hugs to all of you. Trude, Martha & Mike
Mike DaSilva says
I was very sorry to hear that John C. Died. I have many fond memories . . .He did the swearing in ceremony all three times I was elected to the city commission, he regaled me in his office with stories about Rankin, Big Dorothy and others he ran across while he was county attorney. He will be missed. My prayers are with all of you.
Mike
Sandi Meyers says
Dr Lee,
I was so sorry to see that you have lost your father. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this trying time.
Susan Clark Marcinek Moran says
What a man he was! I enjoyed reading about his life and send my sincere condolences in your loss. Gone from this earthly life, but never to be forgotten!
Victoria MacDonald (Harrison) says
Dear Nina, Bob, Molly, Randy and Lee, and grandchildren,
When I heard about the Judge’s death on 11-11-11 I was saddened.I want to extend my sympathy to all of you. Your father was a wonderful father, a great father-in-law, and a loving, kind grandfather to Taryn. He has been a role model for many of us. My last two visits with him were memorable, significant, and appreciated. As your dad moves on to his “new life” may all of you be surrounded with peace and love. If I can be of assistance to any of you please let me know.
With love and God’s blessings,
Vickie, Victoria