Donald Mervon Harrison

Donald Mervon Harrison of Oakton, Virginia, died at Georgetown University Hospital, May 25, 2020.  Don was the son of Donald and Marguerite Harrison of Annandale, Virginia and St. Augustine, Florida.  Don graduated from Annandale High School, College of William and Mary,  and University of Virginia, where he earned an MA and PhD (1977) in Economics.  He served in the US Army Medical Services Corp, attaining the rank of Captain.  He was an intelligence officer at the Central Intelligence Agency for two years.

The bulk of Don’s career was spent with the U.S. Agency for International Development.  He found his years with USAID to be both challenging and fulfilling.  Always concerned about those living in hardship, he found helping to improve peoples’ lives and advancing development very rewarding.  He served with his family in Barbados, Grenada, Honduras and El Salvador, and in temporary assignments in Eastern Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa.  Always keen to stay fit, he did his daily jog where ever he was.  He was widely recognized as “the man who runs.”

In retirement, Don pursued his interest in gardening, was active in his church, and volunteered with the Virginia Adopt a Highway program.  He was passionate about nature and his family.  His goal in every encounter was to leave each person a little happier than they had been before.

Don is survived by his beloved wife, Wesley March Harrison, his devoted children, Donald (Rob) Harrison and Joseph (Drew) Harrison and his siblings, Alan R. Harrison of Annandale, Marguerite Pickering (Craig) of Charlottesville and Elizabeth Spivey (Mike) of Afton, Virginia.

A memorial service will be held October 30, 2021, at Church of the Holy Comforter, 543 Beulah Road, NE, Vienna, VA 22180 at 12 noon.  Memorial donations may be made to the World Wildlife Fund, Church of the Holy Comforter or Food for the Poor.