George H. Harrison, 81

LONG NECK - George H. Harrison, of Long Neck, formerly of Georgetown, passed away Monday March 23, 2009, at the Renaissance Health Care Center, Long Neck, surrounded by his loving family. He was 81. He was born Oct. 21, 1927, in Winston Salem, N.C., to the late William and Hilda Harrison. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was eventually stationed in Cape May, N.J. After the Navy George settled in Georgetown, and started a new and used furniture business known as "The Swap Shop." He was a self made entrepreneur with several different businesses, ranging from the installation of storm windows to the demolition of buildings from the March "62" storm. He went on to build several homes in the Cabbage Corner area of Georgetown before becoming a cofounder of Leisure Point Resort in Long Neck, which he constructed and operated until 1973. In the early 70's, he established Delaware Home Inc. in the old Otis Smith fish plant in Lewes, and produced the first 14 foot wide mobile home in Delaware. He later moved to Florida and owned and operated Orange Grove Campground in Kissimmee, Fla. During his stay in Florida he built and operated mini-warehouses and also operated a Mobile Home Community, "Hidden Valley" for a Des Moines, Iowa Savings and Loan Association. George also lived in Littleton, N.C., where he was active in the Lakeside Lutheran Church. He was a 32nd degree Master Mason. George's passion was stock cars and airplanes. He held a private pilots license and was an avid race car fan and driver at racetracks in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Jeannie Harrison in 2006. He is survived by his first wife, Thelma Corso of Long Neck; two daughters, June Marie Johnson and her husband Wayne of Long Neck, Carol Dodd and her husband, Wayne of Milford; a son, Dick Harrison and his wife Gladys of Long Neck; his sister, Betty J. Estep of Middletown; five grandchildren, Brian Johnson and his wife Robin of Georgetown, Frank Johnson of Wilmington, Duane Dodd of Felton, Christopher Harrison and his wife Melinda of Long Neck, Jill Harrison of Long Neck; five great-grandchildren, Peyton and Cole Johnson of Wilmington, Brandon Dodd of Felton, Christopher and Zachary Harrison of Long Neck; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Long Neck chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where friends may call after 1:30 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in George's memory to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.