Robert F. "Bob" Harrison

Robert F. “Bob” Harrison, of Holt, MI, died Tuesday, October 7, 2014 with family at his side, after a short battle with illness.

Bob was born May 8, 1945 in Lansing to parents Robert C. and Arlene M. Harrison.

Bob graduated in 1963 from Lansing Everett High School.

Bob met his dear wife Kay Lynn at Edru Roller Skating Rink in 1963 while they were still in high school. After graduation, they were married in 1965. Together they purchased their home in Holt in 1968, where they raised their family and met their friends.

Bob was a hard-working and loyal employee of Bud Kouts Chevrolet working as a skilled auto body technician. He retired in 2007, after 42 years of service.

Throughout his life Bob was a passionate outdoorsman. His childhood experiences pheasant hunting with his father led him to become an avid hunter and angler, traditions that he shared with his family. In 1990 he shot a 10 point white tail buck that earned him a spot in the Pope and Young world record book. Bob was a taxidermist for over 20 years. Not only was he an expert at his craft, but he met many friends through his work.

Bob had a commitment to hard work and a knack for fixing anything.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Kay, of 49 years; their two children, Tracy (Tony) Casali and Theodore (Annie) Harrison; their three grandchildren, Tony II, Dominic and Gabrielle; his sister, Carolyn (Gary) Eversole; and other family, friends, hunting buddies, Bud Kouts and Adesa families.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel, 2121 N. Cedar St., Holt. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 15, 2014 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Directly following the 5:00 p.m. service, please join the family at Buddies Grill, 2040 Aurelius Rd., Holt, for a dinner to celebrate Bob.

Bob and his family were truly grateful for the expert, kind and compassionate care provided by the McLaren ICU team. Contributions may be made in Bob’s honor to: McLaren Greater Lansing Healthcare Foundation, 401 W. Greenlawn, Lansing, MI 48910.

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12 Messages to “Robert F. "Bob" Harrison

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Duane LeRoy
October 10, 2014 at 8:56 pm

I loved Bob like a brother. I am so fortunate to have had him as a friend for 34 years. Bob was one of the most hardworking, loyal, and honest people I have ever known. Bob always had his priorities straight. Bob was a great father and husband. His children are wonderful people which is a living legacy to Bob and Kay. Bob was a fantastic teacher and could motivate people to venture outside the box. Bob taught me how to archery hunt and many other things about the outdoors. I will always remember my dear friend and cherish the great times we had together. I will miss Bob very much but I am confident we will meet again in another place. God bless you Robert.

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Brad Delaney
October 10, 2014 at 10:10 pm

What a great man. Gonna miss his incredible sense of humor. I know he is looking down on all of us with a pocket knife in one hand and a stick in the other. Gonna miss you.

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Noah Busse
October 11, 2014 at 7:03 pm

I worked at Kouts for 10yrs, over 10yrs ago. I knew Bob well, He always made me laugh no matter how bad the day was going. I just heard the news and send prayers to his wife and family, he will be missed dearly. We used to go fishing on Thursdays nights with friends at the Jones Rd bridge. It is my honor to say we were friends. I’ll miss ya bud!

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Marci Rinehart
October 12, 2014 at 12:37 am

I had the pleasure of working with Bob at ADESA Auto Auction. He was one of a kind. He always had a story or a joke for me & kept me laughing. I will miss him & his smiling face terribly.

May God Bless you my friend. We will meet again someday & I expect a joke when I get there.

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Francye Loepke
October 13, 2014 at 8:36 am

I am sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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Janet Thompson
October 13, 2014 at 3:19 pm

Thinking of you today and am sorry to hear of your loss. It was great to visit at the M.S.U. basketball game and I still have fond memories of the lake with Bob’s parents, Uncle Bob and Aunt Arlene, when I was a youngster. You are in my prayers today.
Janet (lifelong friend of Kathy Hogarth).

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Terry Hoag
October 13, 2014 at 7:27 pm

I met Bob in 1972,thru out the years we shared alot of fun times that will be cherished. He was like a brother,father,and always had the best advice. He had a great sense of humor,and always made everyone laugh. He will always be missed greatly.

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Lisa Davis
October 15, 2014 at 8:55 am

What a great man. Honored to have worked with Bob at Bud Kouts. He was always smiling. He hired my in the body shop before he went back to working on vehicle’s. I enjoyed all the time together and going to the Jones Rd Bridge with our “Bud Kouts” family. He was a great person and anyone who knew him was a lucky person. God bless the family, let it be known that you had one of the best! Miss you bud. Save a bologne sandwich for me when we meet again!

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Kathy Hogarth
October 15, 2014 at 10:25 am

Thinking about Bob brings me such happy memories. From his constant teasing when I was young, up to adulthood, where he would sneak-up and whisper an “edgy” joke in my ear that would make me laugh-out-loud, provoking odd looks from the people around me. When I was young, I would go bass fishing with him and his dad on Townline Lake. Getting up at 5:30am, we would fish for hours never getting a nibble until we were ready to go in, and then Bob would not only “snag” the only Bass-of-the-day, BUT it would be the largest! He did this every time. Once I witnessed him catch his largest Bass (at the time) of over 5 pounds! Bob’s personality was bigger-than-life with him never reacting to a bad day—he was always “up,” never getting depressed. We will feel a bigger-than-life void and Heaven is now greater that he is in it. He will be fishing in the silvery waters and hunting in the golden forests with his cousin Dale Sinke. May they both delight GOD and the Angels with their skills and love of nature. Until we all meet again, we must be patient and honor Bob’s life as best we can. Love you Bob so much……. Kathy “O”

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Joe Newman
October 15, 2014 at 11:03 am

I worked with Bob at bud kouts for 17 years.We always had a common ground. It was a pleasure working with him at work and after work. I will miss the laughs we had.

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Michael Piper
October 15, 2014 at 12:19 pm

My condolences on Bob’s passing to all his family and friends. My mother and Bob’s parents went to high school together were best of friends until Bob and Arlene passed on. When I was growing up, my family lived in back of the Harrrisons. They lived on Pierce Rd. and we lived on Reo Rd.

Bob and I played together as children, played sports together, and graduated together. As mentioned in one of the above posts, he had a great sense of humor and could tell jokes by the hour. I remember sitting under Danny Dunlaps (neighbor of the Harrisons) apple tree with a bunch of other children and listening to Bob rattle off joke after joke while we laughed and laughed. I always thought his joke telling proficiency was amazing as I was lucky if I ever remembered a joke, no matter how funny it was.

He had “Lady” his horse for years when growing up and she would get loose every once-in-awhile and gallop through the backyards of the neighborhood, sending everyone scrambling for safety. I remember watching Bobby (as he was called back then) trying to corral her, but she was having too much fun to return to her abode quietly until she wore herself out. Ah, the good ole days.

Bobby and I ran track together and he was an excellent pole vaulter, a halfmiler (800 meters today), and he was always playing in softball leaques throughout the summer. And like a previous post said, he was always smiling.

I’m sorry I lost touch with him after high school as I went to CMU and moved on as life played itself out. I’m glad he had such good friends and family over the years and I know he will be missed by both.

His long time friend,

Michael Piper

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sharon ordiway
October 15, 2014 at 8:29 pm

going to miss your whisting. who is going to wake me up sunday mornings with the lawnmower, leaf blower,snow blower.

Love, your neighbor Sharon

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