James Theodore Harrison, age 79, of Salem, Ohio died on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at his home. He was born October 7, 1933 in Clay County, Illinois, a son of the late Jesse Dempsey and Velma Jane (King) Harrison.

James was a graduate of Clay City High School. Following high school, he served in the U.S. Army from 1953-55. James then went to work for Caterpillar in Peoria, Illinois where he worked for more than 35 years holding various technical and supplier quality positions. For the last 15 years of his career, James was employed as a lead auditor with DNV Certification, a quality auditing company based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. He retired in April 2011.

James was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Salem, Ohio and previously a longtime member of Christ Church in Germantown Hills, Illinois. He enjoyed working as a referee for high school basketball games in Illinois for many years and was active with the Germantown Hills Little League. James was also a long-serving member on both the Woodford County (IL) Zoning Board of Appeals and the Germantown Hills (IL) School Board.

James was a lifelong fan of the LA Dodgers, an avid supporter of the Illinois Fighting Illini, was generous with all who knew him, and most of all, a man of character who was a loyal and loving family man. James will surely be missed by all who knew and loved him.

His wife, Carolyn F. (Gill) Harrison, whom he married October 6, 1956, preceded him in death January 13, 1999. James was also preceded in death by a brother, Carl Dayne Harrison, and two sisters, Leona Maxine (Harrison) Williams and Mary Belle (Harrison) Lyons.

Survivors include a son, Michael J. Harrison of Houston, Texas; a daughter, Pamela J. (Steven) Whetstone of Piedmont, Oklahoma; and two grandchildren, Tyler S. Whetstone of Piedmont, Oklahoma and Mimi J. Whetstone of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Burial will be in Dillman Cemetery, Sailor Springs. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. (noon) until the time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor James may be made to the American Heart Association.