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Communicators Corner member James Harrison dies

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September 08, 2008

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James Harrison, a former publicity director and executive editor of Hoof Beats magazine for the U.S. Trotting Association who later worked for Hanover Shoe Farms and Lana Lobell Farms, and a member of the Communicators Corner of the Hall of Fame, died Thursday, Sept. 4. He was 87.

Born in Port Jervis, N.Y., Mr. Harrison first began writing as a sports stringer for the Middletown, N.Y. Times Herald after graduating from high school. He later enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and earned a Purple Heart and Air Medal with several clusters while in combat action during World War II.

In January 1949 Mr. Harrison began working for the USTA in its publicity department. He became publicity director in 1952 as well as Hoof Beats� executive editor. In 1958 he left to join Hanover Shoe Farms as an assistant to the president, but he returned to the USTA in 1965.

During his second stint with the USTA, Mr. Harrison wrote The Care and Training of the Trotter and Pacer. He then left again in 1968 to become executive vice president and general manager of Lana Lobell Farms. He retired in 1980 at the age of 58.

In 1970, Mr. Harrison was voted the Proximity Achievement Award by members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association. He also was named the 1970 Golden Pen Award winner by the North American Harness Publicists Association and he also received the Grand Circuit Order of Merit in 1978. In 1986, he was inducted into the Communicators Corner of the Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y.

There will be no visitation or service for Mr. Harrison, who will be cremated. Burial will be in the family plot, in St. Mary�s Cemetery in Port Jervis. Arrangements are by Gray-Parker Funeral Home in Port Jervis.

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