Wendell Dean Harrison

Wendell Dean Harrison, 82, of Waynesville, North Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville. He was born on December 4, 1940, in Monette, Arkansas, to John Powell and Fannie Byrd Harrison. He moved to Brevard County, Florida, in 1964, where he began a 17-year teaching career. He later transitioned to various administration positions at MacMillian-Buchanan Insurance Agency before co-founding FLIPPA, a third-party liability company for underground petroleum storage tanks. 

During retirement, he became an avid gardener, enjoyed tending his hostas and daylilies, and constructed a multi-tiered water feature. 

He is survived by his wife, Betty Buchanan Harrison, formerly of Cocoa, Florida; sons John P. Harrison II (Sharon), of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Troy (Mary) Harrison; daughters Thressea Boyd (Kevin), of Valdosta, Georgia, and Michelle Haben (Ralph) of Tallahassee, Florida; Grandchildren include, Joshua Harrison (Kailyn), of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Jessica Boyd McCullough (Clay), of Tallahassee, Florida; Stewart Harrison of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Elizabeth Haben Watford (Sam) of Tallahassee, Florida; Justin Harrison, Christian Harrison and Gavin Harrison, of Doral, Florida; and a great-granddaughter Morgan Harrison, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is survived by a brother, Ben (Eva) Harrison, of Cocoa, Florida, and several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, John P. and Fannie Harrison; brothers David Harrison, Jimmy Harrison, Billy Harrison, and Larry Harrison; sisters Ida Jones and Gelinda Evans. 

In place of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sarge's Animal Rescue Foundation, Inc. or Within Reach organizations. Both are located in Haywood County, North Carolina. Condolences for the family may be expressed online at https://www.wellsfuneralhome.com/.