Dennis Lee Harrison

Dennis (Denny) (Pickleman) Lee Harrison, 80, of Republic, MI passed away August 5, 2021 in Mattawan, at his daughters home surrounded by his family, and the love of his life, Sally Harrison. Denny was the first baby born in Kalamazoo on January 1, 1941 to Ralph and Marian Harrison. Denny was preceded in death by his mother and father.
Denny is survived by his wife, best friend, and hunting/fishing partner for life, Sally Harrison and his three children. His son and favorite daughter-in-law, Darwin and Julie Harrison, who was Denny’s first born, and only son who he truly believed walked on water. His first-born daughter and favorite son-in-law, Terri and Joe Alexander, who he loved very profoundly and who cared for him until his death. And his second born daughter, Christine Harrison, who he also cared for deeply.
Denny is also survived by his two younger brothers, Rush Harrison (Janice) and Brad Harrison (Jan). Denny had 10 grandchildren who he loved tremendously and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his many friends in both Kalamazoo and Republic, MI.
Denny loved his family, but none more than his wife Sally. Like two peas in a pod, Sally and Denny met at Mattawan High School and married shortly after graduation in 1959.  Denny was head over heels for Sally since the day he first laid eyes on her. They both loved spending time at their home in Republic, MI where they have spent the last 30 years of retirement.
You can’t mention Denny without mentioning pickles. Denny was Vice President of Harrison Packing in Kalamazoo and drove the Harrison truck from Chicago, Detroit and the surrounding states for nearly 25 years, driving the same number of miles it would take to travel to the moon and back.
In his younger days you could find Denny playing basketball, football and baseball which started his love for sports and translated into keeping an eye on his blessed Yankee’s and rooting for the Lions every Sunday.
While he was an avid sports fan, there was nothing he enjoyed more than spending time in the Upper Peninsula with his Republic family and friends, that meant so much to him. Between supporting the local Republic Sportmans Club and their annual fishing derby to helping groom the trails for the Moose Country Snowmobile Club, Denny could always be found around town enjoying conversations among friends and family. In 2017, Denny and Sally were voted members of the year and given the Cam Shaft Award, which honored their hard work dedication and willingness to help the snowmobile club for so many years.
Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him knew that if you had a chance to talk with him, you would be hearing a story from his life. Even in the last few months, he would open the photos on his phone and walk through each one telling a story around where and why each photo was taken. Seemingly each time you heard his stories the buck would be a bit bigger, or the fish would be a little heavier and while the storyteller might not be here anymore, his story will continue to live on with his family and friends.

There will be an open house to celebrate the life he lived at the Eagles Club, 63237, M-40 Paw Paw, on Saturday, August 14, 2021 beginning at 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. There will be a tribute shared at 2:30 p.m.
Even though Denny loved wearing his Lion's/Yankee's and Camo clothing, please feel free to wear your favorite sports attire.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, 49009, or to the Moose Country Snowmobile Club, P.O. Box 453, Republic, Michigan 49879.