Sidney Robert Harrison

Sidney Robert (Harri) Harrison was born on April 23, 1951, in Tucumcari, Quay County, New Mexico. He was the first son of Sidney Wilbert (Jack) Harrison and Barbara Jean Jennison; Sidney attended the 3rd Street Elementary School in 1956 and then the Tucumcari Elementary School in 1957. He was put back a year in kindergarten for a list of childhood diseases and allowed his sister Alice to catch up and they both attended kindergarten and Elementary school together in the same grade. The family moved to Albuquerque in 1959. Sidney and his sister graduated from Rio Grande High School in 1970.
Sidney joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1968 and upon completion of High School enlisted for Active Duty. Sidney served three tours of duty in Vietnam. Sidney met Susan Eileen Challacombe in San Clemente, CA on May 6, 1973, when he was stationed in the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA. They were married in Las Vegas, NV, on June 23, 1973. After being transferred to the Inspector-Instructor Staff in Amarillo, TX as an Infantry Instructor in 1974, they had two sons, Sidney Robert Harrison II in January 1975 and Scott Ryan Harrison in May of 1977.
In 1978 Sidney reenlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and was sent to Albuquerque, NM to Delta Company, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion. During this time, he was hired with the U.S. Postal Service as a Letter Carrier. Sidney retired from the Marine Corps in 2011 after 41 years, 2 months and 10 days of Service. He retired as a First Sergeant (E-8) but did hold the temporary grade of Sergeant Major (E-9). He also retired from the U.S. Postal Service with accumulated service of 35 years. On December 15, 1979, Sidney and Susan had their daughter, Robin Suzanne Harrison. To date they now have 7 grandchildren that live in Albuquerque near them.
Harri has been everything from a Cowboy to Postman, a Carpenter to a construction worker, Ditch digger to plumber's helper, and Well driller to soldier. He has flipped hamburgers and swept out stores, stocked shelves, shoveled all sorts of manure. He has worked in 7 states and 27 foreign countries. His adventuring spirit has brought him full circle in life.
During his Marine Corps Career, he had 7 combat tours in various countries around the world. He was awarded a Silver Star Medal for Heroism in Vietnam, 2 Bronze Star Medals with Combat "V" for Valor, 5 Purple Heart Medals, (Some records indicate 7, as he was wounded twice on the same day on two occasions) and 17 other personal and unit awards.
Upon Retirement, Sidney and Susan remained in Albuquerque, enjoying their grandchildren, and their many friends. They do some moderate traveling, trying to keep in touch with family in California and Arizona and friends in nearby states. They enjoy fishing and camping and love the many home Bar-B-Ques with family. Sidney was most commonly known as "Harri" as a nickname he picked up in the Marines and called "Sarge" by fellow workers with the Postal Service.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd NE in Albuquerque.