John was born Aug. 1, 1953, in Crystal Falls, son of the late Dr. Thomas Harrison and Gloria (Wiggins) Harrison.

He graduated from Forest Park High School in Crystal Falls in 1972. He earned a B.S. from Michigan State University in 1976 and a J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1981.

At Michigan State, John met his future wife and best friend, Janice “Jan” Bickle. They married on Aug. 26, 1978, later divorced, then remarried on Oct. 20, 2023. (Jan referred to John as her first and second husband.)

John was a born leader, starting with his high school years and ending when he became too ill to serve in leadership roles. His contributions to the community include serving as president of the Forest Park School Board, chair of the local V-J Day Committee, and secretary of the Crystal Falls Rotary Club.

John was a pioneer of the field of elder law who was well-respected for his expertise in this area. Clients praised him for this and his compassion as he helped them with their end-of-life planning and other legal needs for over four decades. As a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, John attended conferences in various cities to stay updated in elder law and better serve his clients. He facilitated elder law seminars for Michigan’s Institute of Continuing Legal Education. John also served briefly at the start of his career as assistant prosecuting attorney for Iron County.

John was a Cradle Episcopalian, born and raised in the Episcopal Church. He served as a Eucharistic minister and worship leader, in addition to being an acolyte. At the age of 16, he was the youngest person elected to the Vestry and served on the Vestry many times after that.

John loved his high school class and served on reunion planning committees as long as his health allowed. The Class of ’72 will remember his “Susie” in tube floats down the Paint River.

John’s many interests included classic cars, boating on both the chain of Fortune Lakes and Lake Superior, skiing, traveling, camping, gardening, raspberry pie, grilling for family get-togethers, and watching football, especially the Packers and the Spartans.

John’s two grandsons were the pride and joy of his life. During their annual family visits in early July, Grandpa was in charge of all the fun and made sure it included swimming, bonfires, fireworks, and spontaneous drives for ice cream.

Survivors include wife Jan; daughter Jenna (Ben) Wright; son Mark Harrison; grandsons Thomas and Andrew Wright; siblings Dr. James Harrison, Sally (Tom) Peterson, and Robert (Janet) Harrison; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; and countless friends. John was preceded in death by his brother, Dick, only two days prior to his own death.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Crystal Falls. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. at the church. The Rev. Peggy Padilla will officiate. Burial will be in the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Crystal Falls.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Crystal Falls or Friends of Camp Batawagama.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of John Harrison online at www.nashfuneralhome.net

The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.