Tirus Speaker "Ty" Harrison

Tirus ""Ty"" Speaker Harrison passed away August 3, 2014 in Gulfport.
He was born September 17, 1927 in Vernon, Alabama where he was a resident for 20 years. He graduated from Lamar County (Alabama) High School in 1947. While living in Vernon, he learned the value of hard work while earning money picking cotton and working in the lumber business. He joined the Air Force in 1948 and, after attending basic training, he spent 3 years in Germany where he met and married the love of his life, Anneliese (Ann) Osterloher. He and Ann would have celebrated 62 years together on August 5.
After being discharged from the Air Force, he attended the University of North Alabama in Florence and graduated with a B.S. degree in July 1956 then moved to Gulfport. Ty worked at Keesler AFB as an instructor of electronics and later a Training Specialist from July 1956 until retirement in January 1988. He also received his Masters degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1978 while working at Keesler.
He was active in community activities. While his kids were young, he coached Little League baseball, assisted with the girl's softball league and umpired on several occasions. He was an active member of the Woolmarket Lions Club where he served as past president of the club and was a Melvin Jones Fellow. He was a member of Coalville United Methodist Church where he served on various committees and for years took great pleasure in the upkeep of the church grounds. He was a past member of the Krewe of Gemini. When Ty retired from Keesler, he volunteered his time to picking-up trash from the roadway between Lorraine Road to Coalville Church. One of his pet peeves was seeing motorists throw trash on the roadway. This job not only cleaned up the road but he also got several miles of exercise each morning.
After retirement, he and Ann traveled within the U.S. as well as Germany. He and Ann then began woodworking projects, selling items on consignment. He was responsible for cutting the wood and Ann was the quality control. He was famous for cooking hushpuppies at special events and he made ""undoubtedly the best"" cornbread dressing anyone has ever eaten.
Ty was an avid Alabama fan. During football season, he and his son would watch the game together and root for Bama! In later years, the whole family would gather for the games. Shouts of sheer joy could be heard whenever a touchdown was made. Roll Tide!!!
Ty was preceded in death by his father, Dewey F. Harrison, his mother Pearlie McClung Harrison and nine brothers and sisters.
Ty is survived by his wife, Ann Harrison of Gulfport; two daughters, Patricia Tisdale (John) of Saucier and Cynthia Epperson (Dave) of Long Beach and one son Anthony W. Harrison of Houston, TX. He is also survived by two grandsons, Jayson (Natasha) Tisdale of Saucier and Jeremy (Krystle) Tisdale of Gulfport; three great-grandchildren, Lacy, Claudia and Karli; and two granddogs, Millie and Roush - all sources of his joy.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Coalville United Methodist Church or the Woolmarket Lions Club.
The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 11:30 AM at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport with a visitation for family and friends from 10:00 AM until the service. Burial will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Gulfport.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.