Mr. Homer Phillip Harrison

Mr. Homer Phillip Harrison, 76, of Carmel, IN, was promoted to heaven on November 30, 2022, after a battle with an uncommon degenerative neurological disorder called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Homer was born on July 21, 1946 to Mary Winifred Harrison at 420 West Harrison Street, Kirksville, MO.  After Homer graduated from Kirksville High School as class Vice President, he joined the United States Naval Construction Battalions during the Vietnam era in the fall of 1965. Homer reported to Port Hueneme, CA to serve with the Seabees. During his wartime service, he was proudly decorated by the Secretary of Navy Paul H. Nitze with the National Defense Service Medal, Fleet Marine Combat Operations Insignia, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, and Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. After returning home from Vietnam war in 1968, he spent time in New Haven, Connecticut where he enrolled in post-secondary education and was actively involved in local government politics.

In 1972, he relocated to Indianapolis, IN where he began his career with International Union of Operating Engineers Local 103 until his retirement in 2005.  After his retirement, Homer provided wisdom, knowledge and time to inspire his children to become successful Entrepreneurs while providing independent creativity to benefit his future generations. The highlight of his daily routine was to spend time with his grandchildren visiting the neighborhood Walmart and the many countless activities with adventurous car rides together. He also enjoyed his hobbies of working on restoring his 1959 GMC pickup truck, luxury motorcoach lifestyle, classic automotive shows, grilling, cooking, attending the Indianapolis 500, Horse Races and the Indiana State Fair.  Homer enjoyed spending the last few winters in Bella Collina & Naples, Florida with his children. Homer never met a stranger. He had the kindest heart and if that meant giving you the shirt off his back, he would do just that out of generosity.

Homer was baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit on the 18th day of November, 1956 by the Rev. R.E. Miller, into a small Bible based church named Vine and Broadway Church of Missouri. Within the past year, he attended St. Luke’s United Methodist Church with his wife, son, and granddaughter.

Homer is survived by his wonderful wife, Carolyn Miller Harrison Ph.D.; children, Cary Fisher (Dominique), Phil Harrison, and Eboni Gant, MPH (Devin); grandchildren, Darian Fisher, Autumn Fisher, Myles Fisher, Jade Boochee’, Gabriella Harrison, Madelyn Gant, and Zoie Gant; siblings, Patricia McElroy (Joel) and Joseph  Harrison, Jr (Earlene); aunt, Margie Ford; nieces and nephews, Brian Harrison, Tiffany McNeal, Tawnya McCrary, Joseph Harrison III (Kisha), Theron Harrison, Dedrick Harrison, Shenika Harrison (Dave), and Pam Alford (Willie); cousins, Freda Odum, Alexander Bradley (Sigrun), Cynthia Hyter (Elias), Nancy Reese, Jacquelyn Tolson, Sharon Cooper-Lyons, Connie Tolson, Vickie Harris (Johnny), and Tracy Smith; his long-time and best friend, Missouri Automotive Dealer, Richard Hudson; and a host of family members, friends and acquaintances that he loved the same.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful staff at IU North Hospital, MAYO Clinic Department of Neurology and Thoracic Surgery (Dysphagia).  With this rare Neurological Disorder, special thanks and grateful appreciation is given to the physicians, Riley Snook, MD, David Yam, MD, Zhanna Albany, MD, Rodjawan Supakul, MD, Jenny Xu, MD, David Roe, MD, Jeffrey Collier, MD, James Lingeman, MD, Robert Spech, MD, and William Harvey, MD.

The services for Homer will be held at Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary, 11411 N. Michigan Road, Zionsville, IN  46077 on Friday, December 9, 2022.  The calling will begin at 10:00 am with the Celebration of Life beginning at 12 Noon. Entombment will follow at Washington Park North Cemetery.  Immediately following the entombment, a reception will be held at Broadmoor Country Club.

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is a neurological disorder where research is limited and there is currently no cure.  The family would like to encourage additional clinical research to support awareness, care and cure for this neurodegenerative disease. If you wish to make a tribute gift in memory of Homer, please visit www.curepsp.org .