Thomas J. Harrison

Thomas J. Harrison, MD, died peacefully at his home in Montrose, CO on April 9, 2025, surrounded by his three children. He was 90 years old. Tom was born on November 29, 1934, in Cascade Locks, Oregon. He grew up exploring and enjoying many outdoor adventures in the pacific northwest. This love would be with him for a lifetime. While attending Lewis and Clark college, Tom met and married the love of his life, Viola May Russell (1937-2024). They celebrated 67 years of adventures together. After obtaining his undergraduate degree, he went on to become an Ophthalmologist and Retinal Specialist. Viola continued her education to become a PhD in Linguistics. Our family loving joked they were quite a paradox (pair~a~docs).

Tom and Viola shared a multitude of adventures around the world, beginning in a small Eskimo village north of the Artic circle in Kotzebue, Alaska where Tom served as the Public Health Director. Their travels led them to several continents and many countries as tourists as well as educators. They raised their family in Anchorage, AK, and retired to Santa Fe, NM. Tom and Viola moved to Montrose in 2021 to be located closer to family; they enjoyed all the benefits of living on the western slope of Colorado.

Tom is survived by his adult children: Trevor Harrison (Teri Harrison), Rebecca Harrison, Nathan Harrison (Keren Harrison) along with his seven grandchildren: Harrison Mann, Mickey Mann, Triston Harrison, Trey Harrison, Abigail Harrison, Finnegan Harrison and Lilly Jane Harrison.