George Harrison
George Harrison passed peacefully in his sleep on February 11 after a long battle with heart disease. George was the great-great-grandson of William R. Harrison who died in 1870 and is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Susanville, CA. George was preceded in death by his loving wife of 40 years Joy Lynne Harrison, his parents, Richard and Helen Harrison of Susanville, and brothers Rick (Suzie), Ron (Elvira), and Robin Harrison. George leaves behind his loving daughter Katelyn Gorbet, son-in-law Corrie Gorbet, two granddaughters, Aylah and Brystal all of Susanville, and multiple cousins, nieces, and nephews.
George was born on March 4, 1951 in Oakland, California. He graduated from Lassen High School in 1969. He then worked for the forest service as a tree faller. He then went into the Army where he spent time in Germany and married his high school sweetheart, Joy Wooldridge. After his stint in the U.S. Army, he attended Lassen College and studied criminal justice. George worked briefly at Herlong as a security specialist from 1978 to 1979. He joined the Susanville Police Department in 1979 and in 1983 started to work for the California Department of Corrections in Susanville until 1994. In 1996, George opened and operated Harrison’s Cycle in Johnstonville.
George loved to hunt and fish. He was an accomplished fly fisherman and he truly relished his time on the water. Also, an avid chukar hunter, he was often unsure of his sanity while unrelentingly chasing those grey birds. He used setters for his hunts, all his dogs would enhance his never-ending enthusiastic pursuit of those birds. One dog, Sage, was his most accomplished and beloved. George would follow that dog anywhere. His two granddaughters, Aylah and Brystal gave him immeasurable joy and he loved entertaining and playing with them. The time he spent with them was very special and had a positive and profound influence on his later years.
George was a man who was sure of himself and he would let you know it. But he would do it in a way that would ensure you knew his opinion without stepping on any toes. George was not afraid to tell you how he felt on any issue. He was quick to argue a point, but one to listen to the other side of any argument and politely let you know who was correct, and that was usually himself. George was the type of person who would do anything for a friend or even a stranger. His genuine care and understanding of others showed a unique quality of empathy that too few people demonstrate. A quality that more people should emulate. To put a life into a few sentences on a piece of paper is an accepted practice, George Harrison’s life was so, so much more. We have lost one of the good ones. George, you will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 PM on March 13 at the Community Church, on Numa Road, Susanville.
