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Rollo Harrison Obituary

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Rollo Harrison

Burley, ID

May 12, 1935 - September 12, 2020

Rollo Harrison Obituary

Rollo Harrison, 85, of Burley passed away Saturday, September 12, 2020 at his home. Rollo is "firm as the mountains around us, stalwart and brave he stands on the rock our fathers planted for us in this goodly land. The rock of honor and virtue of faith in the living God. He'll raise his voice triumphant, yet humbly as he meets with the living God." (adapted from hymn "Carry On", Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, page 255)

Rollo was born of goodly parents, Austin A. and Edith Bywater Harrison, on May 12, 1935. From a homely little red, wiggly baby, he turned into a handsome, curly haired young man. He learned to plow, plant, and harvest beets, potatoes, hay ,etc. that they grew on their farm or on the farms of the church. He and his brothers were the best beet thinners in the territory. After a week’s work he loved the Saturday cowboy movies at the Rupert Theatre and the ice cream afterwards which they shared.

Rollo was blessed with three brothers and an adopted sister: Dwayne, Lloyd, and the late comers Val, and Betty. Rollo spent many happy hours playing and working with his brothers, playing Cowboys and Indians, shooting BB guns, working together on the farm, playing baseball, basketball, and enjoying friends and family. School was the best at Pioneer, Pershing, Rupert Jr. High, and Rupert Sr. High. He loved learning and he loved to read. He would read mostly history, science, manuals, religious books, the scriptures, and encyclopedias, but very seldom fiction. It has been said that if he could make a living reading he would read twenty-four hours a day.

The family moved to Grace, Idaho where he finished his senior year of high school and enjoyed his new friends there. Following high school, he went to Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho then to Ricks College in Rexburg. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Western States Mission from 1955 - 1957.

He loved teaching on his mission, so he decided to become a teacher. He taught in Lewisville, Oakley, Idaho and Burley Elementary, Jr. High and Senior High School. He taught Drivers Education for twenty-nine years and taught in the Cassia District for over thirty years.

He received his bachelor’s degree from BYU and his master’s degree from there also. He also received a master’s degree from Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff, Arizona in 1972 in Geology.

Rollo met Gladys May Christenson (his eternal mate) first, on his mission and then in Rupert where she was teaching some of his relatives. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 9, 1960. He has been a lifelong missionary, serving several missions with his wife and best friend. His son Steven preceded him in death. Rollo was delighted to be blessed with six children, Kaye Dean, David, Lauril Ann, Kriston, Carol and Steven. Life has been good in the Harrison household. Rollo, his parents, and his brother Dwayne tried to make Christ the center of their homes.

Rollo leaves behind his wife Gladys of 60 years together, his sons Kaye (Mary) of Parma, Id, David (Nina) of Caldwell, Id, his daughters, Lauril (Bill)Ward of Pocatello, Id, Kriston (David) Matthews, of Washington City, Ut, and Carol (Lafe)Smith of Provo, Ut, his two brothers: Lloyd (Ilene)Harrison of Rigby, Id. And Val (Jan)Harrison of Riverton, Ut. He is also survived by his twenty-seven beautiful and handsome grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren with many more to come, we hope. Love knows no bounds when you have children and lots of posterity.

The Harrison’s are very grateful for the staff at Encompass and the Hospice personnel—especially Laura, Nikki, and Joy. May you continue to find great joy in your work as you have brought joy and service to the Rollo B. Harrison home. We thank you and love you dearly. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local library.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 18, 2020 at the Burley 7th Ward Chapel. Gathering for family and friends will be for one hour prior to the services at the church. Services will conclude with burial in the Heyburn Riverside Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Payne Funeral Home.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Rollo Harrison hosted by Morrison Payne Funeral Home & Crematory.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Rollo Harrison.