James “Jim” Kimball Harrison passed away peacefully at his home March 9, 2020. He was born in Greenville, Mississippi and graduated from Carr Central High School in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1958 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and later received a master’s degree from the University of Alabama.
He was employed at NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center from 1961-1999. Later he was a consultant for Alpha Technologies. He began his NASA career in the Space Sciences Lab and then moved to Program Development. In 1994, Jim was awarded the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for leadership as manager of the first fully successful tether mission in space (SEDS).
He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, and was involved in teaching Sunday school, coaching boys’ basketball, and leading in church history. He was also a member of SAR (Sons of the American Revolution). His interests included running, sailing, tennis and genealogy research.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Suddarth Harrison; daughters, Elizabeth Conroy (Bob), Emily Clark (Dallas) and Heather Downs (Jonathan); eight grandchildren, Abigail, Amelia, Owen and Olivia Conroy, Dylan and Annie Clark, and Jacob and Emma Downs; brother, Roy Bowman (Janet); sister-in-law, Mary Charles Harrison; and several nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Vardaman and Annie Frances (Casteleberry) Harrison, and a brother, Thomas Castleberry Harrison.
A heartfelt thanks goes to Kindred Hospice for their care with his final illness.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church sanctuary. A celebration of life service will follow at 11 a.m. with Dr. Travis Collins officiating. There will be a private burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church.
