Earl Dunbar Harrison, Jr.

Earl Dunbar Harrison, Jr. was welcomed into the arms of his Savior on May 5, 2024.  

He was the son of the late Judge Dunbar and Mary Bell Harrison of Savannah.  Born in Savannah on September 10, 1933, he attended Savannah Public Schools and graduated from Savannah High School.  After high school he earned a Business Administration and Finance degree from the University of Georgia and remained an avid Bulldog fan throughout his lifetime. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School, and served until 1960 as a Naval officer in the Pacific Fleet and on the staff of the Commander of the Ninth Naval District.  He was a graduate of the Harvard Business School Program for Management Development.  

In 1961, Dunbar married his soulmate, the late Marjorie Ann Matthews of Augusta for forty-eight years. 

 They have three children.  

During a time when business was built on relationships and trust, Dunbar was venerated for his integrity, business acumen, and leadership.  A true gentleman, Dunbar’s handshake was solid gold.  The Harrison’s lived in several key Georgia cities, including Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens during his exemplary banking career.  In 1970, he was appointed President of the Citizens and Southern National Bank in Athens, GA.   During the following years he was named Regional Executive of  the North Georgia Region of Nations Bank Community and later Executive Vice President of the Georgia Community Banking Group, supervising all Nations Bank community banking operations throughout Georgia.    He was named Boss of the Year by Athens Credit Women International in 1973 and 1985.  In 1979, he received the Liberty Bell Award from Athens Bar Association. 

His leadership extended beyond banking.   Dunbar was active in many civic, philanthropic, and  faith-based organizations.  He was a pillar of a growing and thriving Athens, Georgia.  He served as a board member and  president of the Athens area Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Athens Industrial Authority and the United Way of Northeast Georgia.  Dunbar served the Board of Athens Downtown Council and Downtown Development Authority. He was a board member of Eagle Ranch, Hope Haven School, Northeast Georgia Boy Scouts of America, Athens YMCA and YWCO.  He served on the Boards of Trustees of the University of Georgia Research Foundation and Athens Academy Preparatory School.

The Harrison’s were founding members of Saint Stephen’s Anglican Church, where he served as vestry member and Senior Warden.   The Harrison’s endowed the Saint Stephen’s Founding Garden.

After  retirement, Dunbar and Marjorie enjoyed travel and  time spent in their mountain home in Highlands, North Carolina, where they enjoyed hiking, entertaining their many friends, caring for the many animals adopted by Marjorie, and spending time with grandchildren. 

Dunbar is survived by his sister, Mary Bell Stolz of Charlotte, NC.  Also grieving are his three children, Marjorie Harrison Brown (Ross) of Hartwell, E. Dunbar Harrison, III (Kim) of Bishop, and Gene Harrison (Laura) of Athens; six grandchildren, Christopher Nickels, Harrison Nickels, Mattie Scaffe,   Dunbar Harrison, IV, Foster Harrison, and Campbell Ann Harrison, and two great-grandchildren, Daniel and Reese Nickels.   

A visitation and memorial service will be held at Saint Stephen’s Anglican Catholic Church in Athens, Ga on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Visitation begins at 2:00 pm. with the service following at 3:00 pm.   A graveside service at Oconee Hill Cemetery will follow the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Athens YMCA or Saint Stephen’s Anglican Catholic Church or a charity of your choice. 

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com