Roland Henry Harrison Sr

Roland Henry Harrison passed away peacefully on May 2, 2025, at the age of 97, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A Godly man, husband and father, his life was a true example of hard work, love for the Church, and an unwavering devotion to his family. Through his words and by his example, he instilled in his seven children the virtues of honesty, integrity, and patience. Roland was born in Austin, Texas, on July 30, 1927, to Roland Roscoe Harrison and Elna Blanche (Niven) Harrison. He received his education at Newman Parochial School through the 8th grade, and graduated from Austin High School in 1944. He served in the US Army from November 1945 to November 1946 at Fort Sam Houston, TX. Following his time in the Army, he attended the University of Texas in Austin where he earned three degrees in Chemical Engineering: a Bachelor of Science in 1949, a Master of Science in 1952, and a PhD in 1955. He was a member of the Honor Societies of Tau Beta Pi, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Omega Chi Epsilon and Sigma Xi. In June, 1951, he married his sweetheart and square dance partner of 6 years, Mary Margaret (Margie) Fewell. In June 1955, they moved to Baton Rouge, LA, where he worked in the Esso Research Laboratories for three years. They then relocated to Bartlesville, OK, in 1958, where he began work in the Thermodynamics Laboratories of the Bureau of Mines. Following his retirement from the Bureau of Mines, he continued his research work with the National Institute of Petroleum and Energy Research (NIPER). During his career he had over 40 publications of his research in the Petroleum Refiner, Chemical Engineering Progress, Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, and several government publications. After his retirement from NIPER, he coauthored with Robert Wicks a detailed biography of his grandfather, William Niven, entitled Buried Cities, Forgotten Gods: William Niven's Life of Discovery and Revolution in Mexico and the American Southwest, which was published by The Texas Tech University Press in 1999. The help of his wife Margie, his brother Pat, and several cousins was deeply appreciated. Roland was a member of St. John Before the Latin Gate Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus (3rd Degree), the Bartlesville Genealogical Society, and the Photographic Society of Bartlesville. He was also an avid table tennis player, participating in multiple Senior Olympic competitions and earning numerous gold medals. Roland is survived and missed by six children, four daughters-in-law and three sons-in-law: Margaret Duggan (Pete), Cecelia Cameron (Tom), Roland, Jr. (Stephanie), Tom (Barbara), Beth Saine (Tim), Robert (Heather), and Lisa Wagner (Stephen). He will also be forever remembered and cherished by his 20 grandchildren: Erin Guest (Gavin), Peter Duggan, David Cameron (Heather), Joe Cameron (Megan), Roland Harrison III (Meghan), Joel Harrison (Katie), Christina Hammervold (Matt), Michael Harrison (Nicole), Jessica Rustmann (Blake), Joshua Harrison (Caitey), Adam Krier (Elise), Phillip Krier (Brittany), Morgan Braly (Richard), Robbie Harrison, Ryan Harrison, Brian Harrison (Shannon), Andrew Harrison (Rosemary), David Harrison, Jonathan Harrison (Amanda), and Kevin Harrison (Kelly). His memory also lives on through his 34 great-grandchildren: Anna, Harrison, and Abigail Guest; Afton, Atticus, and Jane Cameron; Rory and Rhys Harrison; Cora and Ella Harrison; Noah, Grace, and Claire Hammervold; Eleanor, Kolbe, Angelica, and William Harrison; Marie, Thomas, Lucy, Becket, and Helen (due July, 2025) Rustmann; Sullivan Harrison; Miles and Malcolm Krier; Roxas and Jensen Krier; Liam, Alec, Eddy, and Genevieve (due September, 2025) Braly; Elizabeth Harrison; and Clark and Cooper Harrison; and also through many nieces and nephews. Roland is preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Margie; his parents; his brother Patrick (Mary), and his sister Elna Richardson; his son William of Guffey, CO; his grandson Sean of Bartlesville; and three great-grandchildren: Hope, Oliver, and Malachi. Pall Bearers are Joel Harrison, Joe Cameron, Josh Harrison, Phillip Krier, Kevin Harrison, and Robbie Harrison. Honorary Pall Bearers include Pete Duggan, Tom Cameron, Roland Harrison, Jr., Tom Harrison, Tim Saine, and Robert Harrison. All services will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025: • Public Visitation: 10:00 a.m., at the Davis Family Funeral Home, Walker Brown Chapel, 4201 Nowata Road, Bartlesville • Rosary: 11:00 a.m., at the Davis Family Funeral Home, Walker Brown Chapel, 4201 Nowata Road, Bartlesville • Mass of Christian Burial: 2:00 p.m., at Saint John Before the Latin Gate Catholic Church, 715 S. Johnstone Avenue, Bartlesville • Interment will follow the Mass of Christian Burial at Memorial Park Cemetery, 4200 Nowata Road, Bartlesville Please make Memorial gifts to St. John Catholic School Endowment Fund, 816 S. Keeler Ave., Bartlesville OK 74003.

Roland Henry Harrison Sr

July 30, 1927 - May 2, 2025