JESSE HARRISON
Jesse grew up in Benwood, WV, the youngest of the four Harrison boys. Jesse learned early how to wrestle, throw a baseball, and how to run really fast from all three of his older brothers. A natural athlete, Jesse lettered in football and track in high school. He never met a sport he couldn’t play, or a team he didn’t make better. He loved playing softball as an adult. Jesse had a passion for reading, gaming, and board games, and was an avid collector of Godzilla and Ninja Turtles memorabilia.
Jesse graduated from Wheeling Park High School (class of 2001) and West Liberty University (2005), where he received his bachelor’s degree. He furthered his studies in business information systems at DeVry Columbus, Ohio in 2006, and later studied instrumentation and process control at CCAC in Pittsburgh in 2016.
Jesse followed two of his older brothers into service and was a proud military man, rising to the rank of Staff Sgt in the United States Army. He served as a Satellite Communications specialist, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. During his 10-year military career, he was stationed all over, including places like South Korea and Hawaii, among others. Jesse’s Army’s friends will remember his humor and how much they loved to hear his laugh.
Following his military service, he embarked on a career in the oil and gas field. He and his family moved to Houston, where he began working at Baker Hughes. Here, his industrious nature and honest demeanor earned him respect and admiration.
Jesse married the love of his life, Sharless Harrison, and together they nurtured a loving family, with three beautiful daughters: Breanna, Aaliyah, and Danielle Harrison. Jesse’s devotion to his family was unwavering, and he was a cherished husband and father.
Jesse is survived by his wife and daughters; grandfather Jess B. Ostrander, his father Ronald Harrison; step-mother, Carol Harrison; mother-in-law Debbie Crowe; brothers, Brian Harrison (Rhonda) and Jeremy Harrison (Susan); sister in law, Amanda Harrison; and nieces Kylie Bailey (Stephen), Aiden Harrison, Allie Harrison, and Kiley Ward; and nephews Brandon Harrison, Jake Harrison, Ryan Ward, Brooks Harrison, and Evan Harrison; uncle, Tim Harrison; aunt, Missy Sadlowski (Frank) and cousin, Avery Sadlowski, among several other cousins. He is preceded in death by his mother, Angela Ostrander, his brother, Jody Harrison, and grandmothers, Dorothy Lucas and Jacqueline Ostrander.
In honoring Jesse’s memory, we also honor the courage with which he faced RVCL, a condition that affects so few, yet leaves such a profound impact. His strength reminds us of the urgent need for awareness, research, and compassion for those living with rare diseases. May his legacy inspire hope, advocacy, and a future where no one walks this path alone. His gentle spirit and insatiable laugh touched the lives of many. Jesse will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends.
A private service will be held on July 1 in Houston, Texas, with his internment at the Houston National Cemetery. His West Virginia family would like to celebrate his life with family and friends by inviting you to join them at a later date.