James Benjamin “Jim” Harrison: Obituary

James Benjamin “Jim” Harrison, age 73, peacefully passed away on August 14th, 2015, at his mountain residence in Hiawassee, GA. Jim was born to Carolyn and George Harrison, Sr., of Gainesville, GA, where he grew up and attended and played football for Gainesville High School. After graduation he attended the University of Georgia. After school Jim worked for Pittman Curb and Concrete Company and was project coordinator for construction of the bridges on I-40. Jim also worked for Marriott Real Estate in the early seventies before returning to to Cumming, GA and working for C&S Real Estate Division as a Senior Vice President. His knowledge of real estate led him to become broker/owner of Home Masters Realty of Gainesville, GA. After selling Home Masters of Gainesville to Northside Realty, he remained managing broker for twelve years. During his real estate career he also served as a member of the Atlanta Home Builders Association, Northeast Georgia Home Builders Association, Forsyth County Board of Realtors, Hall County Board of Realtors, Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors, and an active member of the Rotary Club. Jim’s true passion though was designing and building homes with a special attention to detail which can still be seen in numerous homes on and around the Hiawassee River mountains. Jim’s love for nature, wildlife, and the mountains was his reason for living on the Hiawassee River and sharing his home nicknamed “Tipacanoe” with his loving wife Becky. Jim’s joking personality and sharp witted mind will definitely be missed, especially when advice or an answer to a question was needed from “The Walking Encyclopedia!” He made such a difference in his guidance and advice in so many lives. Jim served as a senior warden for the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Cumming, GA, and was a current member, Stephen Minister and an active servant to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Hayesville, NC.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Becky Fauscett Harrison, son Cam Harrison and his wife Dru, Amelia Island, FL, daughter Wendi Harrison and her husband Mike Scheidegger and granddaughter Sophie, Dahlonega, GA, son Ben Harrison and his wife Sherri, Braselton, GA, daughter Kathy Fauscett, Braselton, GA, daughter, Ginger Fauscett Gibbs and her husband Jason, Cleveland, OH, brother, David Harrison and wife Mildred, Richardson, TX sister’n law Ann Harrison, Culpeper, VA, and many more nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother George Henry Harrison, Jr.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, August, 27, 2015, at 1:00 P.M. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd located at 495 Herbert Hills Road, Hayesville, NC, with Father Bill Breedlove presiding with the burial service immediately following at the church’s memorial garden graveside.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you please make any donations to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, PO Box 677, Hayesville, NC 28904 or to Jim’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Source Code 11Q140788777 Banister Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.