John Calvin Harrison, 90, of Duluth, MN passed away on May 28, 2024 at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, MN.

John was born in Duluth, MN to Calvin and Leila Harrison on March 21, 1934. He went to high school at Denfeld High School and graduated in 1952. He served in the Army National Guard from 1953-1956 where he specialized in radio repair. He worked at KDLH-TV from 1961 to 1990 and retired as the Assistant Chief Engineer. He had earned the nickname of "Sparky". He also started Harrison Marine Electronics in 1961. He continued working as a marine electrician up into his 80's.

John was a brilliant man and still sharp as a tack up until the last few days. He was a proud member of the Duluth Power Squadron for 66 years, was the past commander in 1974, and earned 45 merit marks. He will be buried in his official squadron uniform. His father, Calvin, was one of the charter members of the Duluth Power Squadron in 1939. He was on the last shipwreck on Lake Superior, the Coast Guard cutter Mesquite, when it hit ran aground off the coast of the Keweenaw Peninsula on December 4, 1989.

John and Dorothy raised 4 children on Park Point. Summers were spent on the beach and the water. Many days were spent on his 32' cabin cruiser, Jimi-John. Dorothy would make boat hotdish and everyone would enjoy the time on the water. John and his family spent a lot of time in their camper as well touring the country. John was deeply interested in genealogy and spent his entire retirement researching the every branch of his family tree as far back as possible. He would cross the country to visit gravesites of his long-lost relatives.

John was a brilliant, but quiet man. He preferred to sit and listen. He was extremely proud of his family and collected newspaper clippings of everyone's happenings. He loved estate sales and would hunt for historical documents and antiques. John had the nicknames of "The Grouch", "The Grinch", "Grumpy" and the "Cookie Monster". The only one with any truth was the "Cookie Monster".

John was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Harrison.

John is survived by his children, James Harrison, Diane (Michael) Podgornik, Joanne (Michael) Hillestad, and Jeffery Harrison; and grandsons, Lucas Grell, Ryan Hillestad, Nicholas Hillestad, and Johnathan Grell.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to St. Luke's Hospital.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 3rd at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, with Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 AM. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery with his wife, Dorothy.