Captain Harrison York Smith

Service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, June 19, 2021 in the Chapel of Heavenly Gates.  Interment will follow at Tooke Cemetery, Ringgold, La.

Emeritus Professor, USN CAPT (Ret.), Dr. Harrison York Smith passed away peacefully on January 31, 2021 in Shreveport, Louisiana at the age of 84. Harrison was born on September 5, 1936 to Harrison S. Smith and Madye Lee Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana. Affectionately known to his family as Smitty, Sonny Boy, York and sometimes D.O.D (“Dear Old Dad”), Harrison’s laughter, love of family and friends, and quick wit will forever be missed. His dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and equality will be a legacy to remember. Harrison achieved an accomplished, lifelong career in education, as both student and teacher. First graduating from Southern University (1959), majoring in Secondary Education with a concentration in Business Accounting, he then completed his Master of Social Work (MSW) at Washington University in 1969 with a concentration in Social Welfare Administration. Beginning his doctorate at University of Chicago, Harrison received his Ph.D. with a concentration in Mental Health Administration at University of Denver in 1981. Known as ’57, by the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Dr. Smith was actively involved with his fraternity brothers of the Lambda Xi Chapter, South Korea from 2012-2015. Dr. Smith’s teaching career began as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Elmhurst College (Illinois) from 1970 – 1975. He taught for 19 years in the School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas as an Associate Professor. Harrison joined the School of Social Work at Eastern Michigan University as a full professor in 1994 until retiring in 2010. Throughout his academic career, Harrison focused on 1 / 3creating comprehensive social work practices, encompassing and addressing a full range of personal, group and family dynamics. Initially drafted into the United States Army in 1959, Harrison’s commitment to military service was unwavering and a source of pride throughout his life. Harrison received a direct commission into the U.S. Navy in 1976 and retired as a Navy Captain in 1996. During his 20 years of service in the Navy, he was heavily involved in reserve recruiting programs in a fivestate region. One of Harrison’s greatest passions was collecting antiques, never missing an opportunity to visit a local antique store, mall, or estate sale. This was evident in his extensive and beloved radio collection. He was one of only a handful of people in the world who owned all three Zenith Stratosphere radios, a rare collector’s accomplishment. His antique collection also included art pottery, original oil paintings and furniture. An entrepreneur at heart, this passion led him to open Salisbury Antiques & Artifacts in Salisbury, NC, bringing him out of retirement at the young age of 82 years. This was his second venture, as he also opened a popular restaurant/nightclub, Patches, in Kansas City, MO in the early 90’s. Harrison, “fine as elderberry wine’, is survived by his wife, Martha A. Smith, sister Madye Lee Young (Albert deceased), daughters Geoffri Nichole Smith and Schoen Frances Smith; sons Gensan Kernan Smith (Sarah), Langston Justice Dillardsmith, James Winfrey III (Kami), Kyle Steven Sutton (Sara) and Dallas Matthew Sutton (Allison). Granddaughters Shawn Renee Smith, Kelly Nichole Smith, Teresa Marie Smith, Azalea Elizabeth Steiger-Smith, Willow Ruth Steiger-Smith, Zion Winfrey, and Micah Winfrey. Grandsons James Winfrey IV and Malachi Winfrey. Greatgranddaughter Gianna Winfrey, and many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. Harrison is preceded in death by 2 / 3his parents, brothers Julius Caesar Smith, John Ed Smith, sister Sarah Elizabeth Green and son Harrison York Smith II. Fair winds and following seas, CAPT. Smith.

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