Jeffrey 'Jeff' Peter Harrison, 75

Jeffrey Peter Harrison, 75, of Worley, Idaho, died Feb. 9, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Jeff was born in Manchester, Conn., on Nov. 1, 1949, the eldest child of Albert W. and Claire (deMontigny) Harrison. 

Thanks to his father’s career in the Air Force, Jeff moved around the United States during childhood and finished his high school years in Brussels, Belgium. He returned to the states in 1967 to attend the University of Connecticut, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physics. While there, Jeff first joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program as a freshman and then the Air Force in 1969. Graduating in 1971, Jeff completed specialist communications and electronics training and was later stationed as a lieutenant reservist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. There, he met his first wife, Sheila Fecke (now Stutrud), whom he married in 1974. After completing his service, Jeff moved to Tehran, Iran, in 1977, where he worked for Lockheed Martin and met his second wife, Linda Blackwood. Jeff returned to the states in 1979 and moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he married Linda that same year. 

Jeff set down roots in nearby St. Charles and worked for McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) for nearly 30 years. A lifetime learner, Jeff went back to school to earn his master’s degree in business administration at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and he later earned a certificate in computer programming, which allowed him to transfer from working on the F-18 Hornet fighter jet program to the flight simulator group. In 1995, he met Kathryn Brunelle (née Kawula), whom he married in 2005. Jeff retired in 2007 and moved with Kate to an idyllic stretch of land outside Worley. He had many passions in life, including music, BMW motorcycles, cooking, reading and spending time in his workshop. Jeff was at his happiest when he was sitting at the dining table surrounded by family and friends, eating a hearty, home-cooked meal and expounding about an episode from history or explaining the finer points of a scientific theory. His generosity, quick wit, unwavering support and, of course, wide grin, will be greatly missed.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Kate; his four daughters: Shannon (and Chris) Leicht, Bridget Harrison, Genevieve (and Matthew) Westerby and Catriona (and Josh) Pace; two stepdaughters, Sarah (and Sean) Quallen and Rebecca Brunelle (and Andres Ferrin Castro); 11 grandchildren; his sister, Tacy (and Mike) Daniel; and brother Michael Harrison. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Christopher Harrison.

A memorial service celebrating Jeff’s life is scheduled for Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 1 p.m., at Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Flowers to honor Jeff’s memory are welcome or donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com). Jeff’s online guestbook is at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.