Nelson Cresap Harrison, Jr, M.D., was born September 10, 1936 in Humboldt. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gayle Harrison; son, Paul Hunter DeLoach Harrison; parents, Frances Williams Harrison and Nelson Cresap Harrison, Sr., his maternal grandparents, John Elmer and Winnie Griggs Williams, paternal grandparents, Kate Louise Cresap Harrison and Solon Harrison.

Nelson graduated Humboldt High School in 1954. He attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville on the engineering co-op program. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1959. He was chosen to attend Chrysler Institute of Engineering in Detroit, Michigan where he was awarded a Master of Automotive Engineering in 1961. Nelson worked for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Research and Development in West Palm Beach, FL for three years. He moved to Memphis where his old friend, Ross Campbell, Jr. introduced him to his future wife, Marigale DeLoach. Nelson worked for Dover Elevator where he designed the stage lift for the New Lincoln Center for Performing Arts in New York City.

Nelson and Marigale married December 27, 1964. Six months later he asked Gayle if she would mind teaching a few more years as he had always wanted to go to medical school. He applied to the University of Tennessee College of Health Science in Memphis where he was accepted into a residency at John Gaston Hospital (now the Med) in Memphis. He later took boards in Atlanta to become a board certified general practitioner. He opened his practice in Humboldt in 1971. In 1990 he was asked to join the staff in the emergency room at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital where he practiced until 1999.

He is survived by his sons, Trey Harrison and wife Moira, Hayden Harrison and wife Monica; grandchildren, Brooke and Baylee Harrison.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Oak Hill Cemetery, 584 Mason Grove Road, Humboldt, TN 38343.

Those honoring him as pallbearers will be: Bill, Bob, Barry, Mike, Andy, and Rob DeLoach.