Morris Harrison lit up the gridiron at Georgia Tech.
After football, he helped light up the skyline of Atlanta as well as structures in exotic spots such as Singapore and Indonesia.
He was a three-time letterman at Tech, where he played fullback and linebacker for Bobby Dodd.
At Tech, he earned two degrees —- mechanical and electrical engineering. His firm, Morris E. Harrison & Associates, worked on projects with Atlanta architect John Portman.
In Atlanta, Mr. Harrison provided his electrical expertise on several downtown anchors that include Peachtree Center, the Westin Peachtree Plaza and the Hyatt Regency. He also worked as an electrical consultant on some of Portman's foreign projects, including Landmark Center in Jakarta, Indonesia.
"He did work for John Portman all over the world —- Singapore, Indonesia, New York," said friend D.L. Claborn of Sandy Springs. "People came from all over to see the Hyatt Regency when it opened. It was [one of] the first [hotels] to have glass elevators."
Morris Edwin Harrison Sr., 82, of Duluth, died June 11 from complications of diabetes at Peachtree Christian Hospice. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service of Lawrenceville is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Harrison was born in Forsyth County but grew up in Grant Park. The Tech High graduate joined the Army in 1944 and was honorably discharged in late 1945, only to be called back into service with the Air Force. He served stateside for about three years during the Korean War.
At Tech, Harrison simply showed up one day to try out for the football team. The walk-on was awarded a full athletic scholarship. Mr. Harrison averaged 13 yards per carry as a sophomore, according to a 2006 Georgia Trend article.
Mr. Claborn and Mr. Harrison had known each other since childhood. They played football at Tech High and pursued careers as college players and referees. They later became referees for Southeastern Conference games. Mr. Harrison received the 2000 George Gardner Memorial Award. He was an SEC referee 25 years; Mr. Claborn called him one of the best. "There were 15 referees," he said. "I rated him Nos. 1 and 2."
An engineer licensed in numerous states, Mr. Harrison held numerous posts. He served on the electrical division of the Georgia Licensing Board. He sat on the board of the Consulting Engineers Council of Georgia. He was named the 1989 Electrical Industry Man of the Year for Atlanta.
"Work, football and officiating football were his hobbies," said Robbie Harrison, his wife of 28 years.
Other survivors are two daughters, Mary Elisha Harrison of Atlanta; and Debi Harrison Miller of Roswell; three sons, Morris E. Harrison Jr. of Atlanta; Scott Harrison of Franklin, Tenn.; and Chuck Harrison of Duluth; a sister, Marjorie H. Miller of Manning, S.C.; his former wife, Mildred B. Harrison of Duluth; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
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