Roger Austin Harrison
Roger Austin Harrison, 43 of Mansfield, passed away unexpectedly on January 25, 2022 at his home.
Born September 26, 1978 in Macon, Roger was the beloved only child of Sheilah and the late Mark Harrison. He was the grandson of Elizabeth (Eudora) Harrison and was preceded in death by grandparents, Frank Harrison and Ralph and Lillie Rogers.
Roger leaves behind a large, loving family and an abundance of friends from all around the world that will forever mourn the loss of this beautiful soul.
Education was extremely important to Roger and something he continued throughout his life. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. and Master of Public Administration from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. He was also an Economic Development Institute Graduate at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, Okla. Roger was working towards obtaining his Doctor of Public Administration from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, at the time of his death.
Roger had an extraordinarily versatile work history and held a multitude of positions over the span of his career. He was employed as a Business Development Manager at the Coca-Cola Company from 2001 – 2005 and was President & COO of Cranium Freeze North America from 2005 – 2008. Roger was Public Service faculty at the University of Georgia, Archway Partnership for Economic Development from 2008 – 2010 and President & CEO at Henry County Economic Development Council from 2010 – 2011. He also served as Senior Vice President, Office of Economic Development at the Covington/Newton County Chamber of Commerce from 2011 – 2013, Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) Wagner Service Solutions, Inc. from 2013 – 2014 and was City Manager in the City of Monticello from 2018 – 2019.
From 2014 until his untimely passing, Roger was President & CEO of Harrison Family of Companies – Harrison Family Farm, LLC & Harrison Recruiting, Inc, both companies he created from scratch and developed into established brands in Georgia.
Roger was deeply involved in community affairs and a member of many boards and chairs including, Board Chairman for Southern Crescent Technical College, Advisory Board Foundation Trustee for Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Board Member/Committee Chair for Georgia Economic Developers Association Board, Member/Committee Chair for Georgia 4-H Advisory Board, Board Member for Arts Association in Newton County, Board Member for Presbyterian College Alumni Board of Directors and Board Member for Goodwill Industries, Board Member for the Atlanta Boy Choir and Board Member for the Ga. Governers Honors Program. He received many awards and recognitions for his service including Covington/Newton County 40 under 40, Outstanding Recent Alumnus from Georgia College & State University, Service-Learning Fellow from The University of Georgia and Change Champion from The Coca-Cola Company. Roger was also a proud Mason and member of Masonic Lodge Tallahassee #1.
In addition to his full-time employment, Roger was the stand in for the CEO of Delta Airlines, a print model and an actor in many television shows and movies. He can be found in Airplane Repo, The Originals, Finding Carter, Satisfaction, If Loving you is Wrong, Sully, Selma and A Walk in the Woods. In addition to those he was also in The Divergent Series: Insurgent, Bessie, Ant Man, Miracle from Heaven, Ride Along 2, Triple 9, A Sunday Horse, and 3 Days till Darkness. He loved to be on set meeting new friends and learning more things.
Making friends came naturally to Roger and nearly everyone he met became an instant one. He would joke about how he always had to be on his best behavior because everywhere he went he would run into a person from some facet of his life. He was the definition of charisma and charm and had the kind of love for people that this world needs more of. He was known for many things, the love he had for the two most important people in his life (Mama & Grandma) the joy he found in traveling and singing, and for his altruism. He would give the actual shirt off his back to someone who needed it.
Roger was always helping someone, somewhere with something, whether it be donations, physical labor, a ride to work for a person he saw walking, or just a non-judgmental listening ear that would often be followed up with heartfelt advice. He never hesitated to tell friends, family and even strangers that they were loved by him.
Roger will be remembered for his mischievous sense of humor, his fondness of funny memes, Jaguars and tipping $2 dollar bills and his random (and sometimes late night) phone calls to friends and family. But most importantly we will remember him for his shining personality, compassion, empathy, kindness, generous heart and resilient spirit. In his far too short 43 years Roger lived a full, vivacious, purposeful life and radiated a joyfulness that those he left behind can learn from.
Keep Roger’s legacy alive by calling an old classmate out of the blue, overtipping your server, making a new friend in the grocery line or going out of your way to help a person that can never repay you. Take the time to tell someone that they are loved.
There will be a celebration of life for Roger Harrison this Saturday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. at Rock Eagle EMC/Lakeside Pavilion, 350 Rock Eagle Road, Eatonton, GA 31024. A reception will follow.
Everyone who knew and/or loved Roger is invited and encouraged to attend. Anyone who knew him knows how important a role that 4-H played in his life and how he had a particular love for Rock Eagle.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Georgia 4-H Foundation. On the website, georgia4Hfoundation.org under the drop-down screen, choose Georgia 4-H Memorial Fund.