John Henry Harrison Jr. was born on August 3, 1938, in Camden, South Carolina to the late John Henry Harrison, Sr. and Naomi Mickles Harrison. He was the fourth of seven children and the first-born son.
He was preceded in death by his sons Marvin Leon Kelley and Rodney Harding, grandson Marvin Leon Kelley Jr. and sister Vivian Burroughs. He was known affectionally by family and friends as "Hopp, Westwood, Junior and West".
In 1940, John migrated to New Jersey along with his family. He was raised in Westwood, NJ, where he attended the Westwood Public Schools. In high school he played football and won several medals as a member of the track team. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Westwood, NJ where his parents encouraged him to sing in the choir. Though John's preference was to sing doo wop under the street corner lights with his neighborhood friends.
After high school, he enlisted in the military serving in the United States Army until his honorable discharge. John also loved to box and honed his skills in the Golden Gloves where he won several trophies. He never lost his desire and stamina to be in the ring and that is where he started to assist the Hackensack Police Athletic League with training and mentoring upcoming boxers. Football was his favorite sport though he loved all sports.
In 1959 he married Janie Mae Kelley and they lived in Westwood, NJ. From this union they had five children. John worked for the Teamster as a truck driver for many years. He retired from the Teamster and worked for Bergen Pine Hospital until he retired.
In 2001 John established his permanent residency in Ridgewood, NJ. John continued his commitment to Christ and in 2005 became a member at Mount Bethel Baptist Church, Ridgewood, NJ where he joined the "Anointed Sons" singing bass. Pastor Thomas Johnson was a vital part of John's Christian growth and they spent countless hours together. He was a sharp dresser from head to toe and that was exhibited every Sunday morning.
John lived his life with lots of laughter and love for his family and friends. Anyone who knew or met John loved him, and most of all loved being in his company.
John Henry Harrison Jr. quietly and peacefully departed this life on March 10, 2022, at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ.
He leaves to cherish loving memories; seven children Gwen Dhu-Gilling (Raymond), Jacqueline Kelley Harrison, Phillip Juan Harrison, Freda Lynn Ingram (Nathan), Tori Joann Alexander (Mark), Theresa Harding, Vanessa H. Chestnut (Lamont) 25 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 5 sisters Mae Frances Burroughs (Simeon deceased), Henrietta Wells (Donald-deceased), Hattie Glidewell (Joseph-deceased), 1 brother James Daniel Harrison, and Gail Autry (William), and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He also leaves to cherish his memories his god daughters Sandy and Kelley Sappington, and a special acknowledgement to the many friends and family that knew and loved him.
Bragg Funeral Home
He was preceded in death by his sons Marvin Leon Kelley and Rodney Harding, grandson Marvin Leon Kelley Jr. and sister Vivian Burroughs. He was known affectionally by family and friends as "Hopp, Westwood, Junior and West".
In 1940, John migrated to New Jersey along with his family. He was raised in Westwood, NJ, where he attended the Westwood Public Schools. In high school he played football and won several medals as a member of the track team. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Westwood, NJ where his parents encouraged him to sing in the choir. Though John's preference was to sing doo wop under the street corner lights with his neighborhood friends.
After high school, he enlisted in the military serving in the United States Army until his honorable discharge. John also loved to box and honed his skills in the Golden Gloves where he won several trophies. He never lost his desire and stamina to be in the ring and that is where he started to assist the Hackensack Police Athletic League with training and mentoring upcoming boxers. Football was his favorite sport though he loved all sports.
In 1959 he married Janie Mae Kelley and they lived in Westwood, NJ. From this union they had five children. John worked for the Teamster as a truck driver for many years. He retired from the Teamster and worked for Bergen Pine Hospital until he retired.
In 2001 John established his permanent residency in Ridgewood, NJ. John continued his commitment to Christ and in 2005 became a member at Mount Bethel Baptist Church, Ridgewood, NJ where he joined the "Anointed Sons" singing bass. Pastor Thomas Johnson was a vital part of John's Christian growth and they spent countless hours together. He was a sharp dresser from head to toe and that was exhibited every Sunday morning.
John lived his life with lots of laughter and love for his family and friends. Anyone who knew or met John loved him, and most of all loved being in his company.
John Henry Harrison Jr. quietly and peacefully departed this life on March 10, 2022, at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ.
He leaves to cherish loving memories; seven children Gwen Dhu-Gilling (Raymond), Jacqueline Kelley Harrison, Phillip Juan Harrison, Freda Lynn Ingram (Nathan), Tori Joann Alexander (Mark), Theresa Harding, Vanessa H. Chestnut (Lamont) 25 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 5 sisters Mae Frances Burroughs (Simeon deceased), Henrietta Wells (Donald-deceased), Hattie Glidewell (Joseph-deceased), 1 brother James Daniel Harrison, and Gail Autry (William), and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He also leaves to cherish his memories his god daughters Sandy and Kelley Sappington, and a special acknowledgement to the many friends and family that knew and loved him.
Bragg Funeral Home
John Henry Harrison Jr. was born on August 3, 1938, in Camden, South Carolina to the late John Henry Harrison, Sr. and Naomi Mickles Harrison. He was the fourth of seven children and the first-born son.
He was preceded in death by his sons Marvin Leon Kelley and Rodney Harding, grandson Marvin Leon Kelley Jr. and sister Vivian Burroughs. He was known affectionally by family and friends as "Hopp, Westwood, Junior and West".
In 1940, John migrated to New Jersey along with his family. He was raised in Westwood, NJ, where he attended the Westwood Public Schools. In high school he played football and won several medals as a member of the track team. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Westwood, NJ where his parents encouraged him to sing in the choir. Though John's preference was to sing doo wop under the street corner lights with his neighborhood friends.
After high school, he enlisted in the military serving in the United States Army until his honorable discharge. John also loved to box and honed his skills in the Golden Gloves where he won several trophies. He never lost his desire and stamina to be in the ring and that is where he started to assist the Hackensack Police Athletic League with training and mentoring upcoming boxers. Football was his favorite sport though he loved all sports.
In 1959 he married Janie Mae Kelley and they lived in Westwood, NJ. From this union they had five children. John worked for the Teamster as a truck driver for many years. He retired from the Teamster and worked for Bergen Pine Hospital until he retired.
In 2001 John established his permanent residency in Ridgewood, NJ. John continued his commitment to Christ and in 2005 became a member at Mount Bethel Baptist Church, Ridgewood, NJ where he joined the "Anointed Sons" singing bass. Pastor Thomas Johnson was a vital part of John's Christian growth and they spent countless hours together. He was a sharp dresser from head to toe and that was exhibited every Sunday morning.
John lived his life with lots of laughter and love for his family and friends. Anyone who knew or met John loved him, and most of all loved being in his company.
John Henry Harrison Jr. quietly and peacefully departed this life on March 10, 2022, at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ.
He leaves to cherish loving memories; seven children Gwen Dhu-Gilling (Raymond), Jacqueline Kelley Harrison, Phillip Juan Harrison, Freda Lynn Ingram (Nathan), Tori Joann Alexander (Mark), Theresa Harding, Vanessa H. Chestnut (Lamont) 25 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 5 sisters Mae Frances Burroughs (Simeon deceased), Henrietta Wells (Donald-deceased), Hattie Glidewell (Joseph-deceased), 1 brother James Daniel Harrison, and Gail Autry (William), and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He also leaves to cherish his memories his god daughters Sandy and Kelley Sappington, and a special acknowledgement to the many friends and family that knew and loved him.
Bragg Funeral Home
He was preceded in death by his sons Marvin Leon Kelley and Rodney Harding, grandson Marvin Leon Kelley Jr. and sister Vivian Burroughs. He was known affectionally by family and friends as "Hopp, Westwood, Junior and West".
In 1940, John migrated to New Jersey along with his family. He was raised in Westwood, NJ, where he attended the Westwood Public Schools. In high school he played football and won several medals as a member of the track team. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Westwood, NJ where his parents encouraged him to sing in the choir. Though John's preference was to sing doo wop under the street corner lights with his neighborhood friends.
After high school, he enlisted in the military serving in the United States Army until his honorable discharge. John also loved to box and honed his skills in the Golden Gloves where he won several trophies. He never lost his desire and stamina to be in the ring and that is where he started to assist the Hackensack Police Athletic League with training and mentoring upcoming boxers. Football was his favorite sport though he loved all sports.
In 1959 he married Janie Mae Kelley and they lived in Westwood, NJ. From this union they had five children. John worked for the Teamster as a truck driver for many years. He retired from the Teamster and worked for Bergen Pine Hospital until he retired.
In 2001 John established his permanent residency in Ridgewood, NJ. John continued his commitment to Christ and in 2005 became a member at Mount Bethel Baptist Church, Ridgewood, NJ where he joined the "Anointed Sons" singing bass. Pastor Thomas Johnson was a vital part of John's Christian growth and they spent countless hours together. He was a sharp dresser from head to toe and that was exhibited every Sunday morning.
John lived his life with lots of laughter and love for his family and friends. Anyone who knew or met John loved him, and most of all loved being in his company.
John Henry Harrison Jr. quietly and peacefully departed this life on March 10, 2022, at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ.
He leaves to cherish loving memories; seven children Gwen Dhu-Gilling (Raymond), Jacqueline Kelley Harrison, Phillip Juan Harrison, Freda Lynn Ingram (Nathan), Tori Joann Alexander (Mark), Theresa Harding, Vanessa H. Chestnut (Lamont) 25 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 5 sisters Mae Frances Burroughs (Simeon deceased), Henrietta Wells (Donald-deceased), Hattie Glidewell (Joseph-deceased), 1 brother James Daniel Harrison, and Gail Autry (William), and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He also leaves to cherish his memories his god daughters Sandy and Kelley Sappington, and a special acknowledgement to the many friends and family that knew and loved him.
Bragg Funeral Home
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Date of interment March 23, 2022
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