Elwood Murray Harrison

ST. GEORGE  Elwood returned peacefully to his heavenly home on December 5, 2012, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born to Murray and Georgia Harrison on September 2, 1929, in Cedar City, Utah. Elwood was the oldest of four boys and had many fond memories of his growing up years in Newcastle, with Reed, Lamond and Merrill.

He graduated from Cedar High School and soon after joined the United States Navy. During his six years of military service he graduated from the U.S. Naval Medical School in Bethesda, Maryland. He served in the Korean War in the Fleet Epidemic Disease Control Unit. After returning from his military duties he began working at Dixie Pioneer Memorial Hospital on June 21, 1954, as a Lab and X-Ray Technician. He later advanced to the position of Administrator of the hospital from 1963 to 1980. He was responsible for the construction of the new Dixie Medical Center, which was his pride and joy. Dad loved the new building when it was completed. The Dixie Health Care Foundation was very important to him and he was instrumental in its conception. He also developed an extension of a nursing program with Weber State and Dixie College. He was the chairman of the Washington County Red Cross and an honorary life-time member of the Utah State Hospital Association. After Intermountain Health Care acquired the hospital he worked for them for several years as a regional director.

Elwood was an active member of the Lions Club since 1962 and always enjoyed the camaraderie he had with his friends there. In fact, friends were an integral part of his life and he always looked forward to spending time with them.

His greatest joy was his family and he loved them unconditionally. From his marriage to June Barrett they were blessed with four children, Marc (Sherri), Barry (Sheri), Bryan (Jan), Julynne (Kevin Taylor). Another blessing arrived after his marriage to Linda Smith, a son they named Trevor (Cheryl). Along with this marriage he was able to help raise two step-children, Ryan (Kari) and Heidi (Rod).

For the last several years of his life he has been married to Sally Ann Cox Osness and he was very grateful for the blessing she was in his life. He also enjoyed times spent with her children and their families.

He is survived by his wife, Sally, his loving children, step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Murray and Georgia and his brothers, Reed, Lamond and Merrill.

Funeral services will be held at the Green Valley 1st Ward Chapel, 511 S. Valley View Dr., St. George, UT at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 10.
There will be a viewing from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 9 at the Spilsbury Mortuary. A viewing will also be held on December 10 from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. at the chapel. Interment will take place in the St. George Cemetery.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary (435)6732454. Friends may sign his guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com .

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