Mr. John Ellis Harbison, Sr., age 84, of the Scant City Community of Arab, Alabama passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Barfield Health Care in Guntersville, AL. John was born September 10, 1940 in Tennessee. His parents were Joseph Harbison and Sophie Dorothea Schoettlin. John has resided in the Scant City Community for over 58 years. He was a member of St. John Evangelical Protestant Church in Cullman. John was also a high school graduate and had earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Auburn University. He worked for and retired from NASA where he was employed as an engineer for 31 years.
John’s leisure time was spent fishing, quail hunting, and softball. He also supported Auburn Football but even more than that, he supported his grand and great grandchildren in their various sporting events.
Surviving family members include his son and daughter in law, John E. Harbison, Jr. and Amber; his daughters and sons in law, Suzanne Spielman and Matthew, and Wendy Bloodworth and Dale; grandchildren, Whitney Bridge (Tamaron), Leanna Ross (Chris), Brooks Malone, Reagan Malone, Sydney O’Bryant (Zack) and Shelby Thornton (David); great grandchildren, Jacob Bridge, Eli Bridge, Anna Bridge, Christopher Ross, Evan Ross, Bryce Ross and Ellis O’Bryant; nephews and niece, Andy Fry, Chris Fry and Amy Gorman; special friend, Charlotte Schrimscher.
In addition to his parents, Joseph Harbison and Sophie Harbison, John was preceded in death by his sister, Eva D. Fry.
Services for John will include a visitation 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024 at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel in Arab, AL. The funeral service will follow beginning at 11:00. Interment will be in Forrest Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, AL. Serving as pallbearers will be Matthew Spielman, Dale Bloodworth, Andy Fry, Chris Fry, Tamaron Bridge, Zack O’Bryant, Brooks Malone and David Thoronton. Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel entrusted with arrangements.
The family request in lieu of flowers consider donations to Shepherd’s Cove Hospice.
