Evan Dean Harrison

Evan Dean Harrison, age 83, of Queen Valley, Arizona, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2025, at his home, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Evan was born on December 12, 1941, in Lovell, Wyoming, the son of Stanford and Marian (Dean) Harrison. Soon afterward the family moved to Emmett, Idaho, and later to Boise, Idaho. He was the oldest of five children, including sister Maralyn (Jackson), brothers Gary and John, and youngest sister Martha (Stoddard).

Evan graduated from Borah High School in Boise, Idaho, in 1960. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Germany North mission from 1961-1963. Following his mission, he completed a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Brigham Young University in 1967. He then pursued graduate studies in both Mathematics and Economics at Michigan State University, earning a master’s degree in each.

While attending graduate school in East Lansing, he met and courted his wife, Meri Anne (Scott) Harrison. They were married in 1968 in the Salt Lake City, Utah, Temple. Their marriage lasted over 56 years, and they became the parents of nine children, including six daughters and three sons.

Ever the ambitious adventurer, Evan went into the real estate business soon after graduate school, acquiring and renovating rental properties in the Lansing area. In 1986 he sold his Michigan properties and relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, to pursue an additional graduate degree in real estate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison business school, ultimately obtaining a master’s degree in 1989. He acquired, renovated, and managed several rental properties in the Madison area.

Evan loved hiking in the mountains or on trails in areas of natural beauty. He was particularly fond of hiking in the Sawtooth and Teton mountain ranges in Idaho. As an avid amateur photographer, he took many beautiful pictures along the way. He made a point of going out for a run on a regular basis and took an interest in learning and practicing healthy habits. He was often found with a book in his hand, was knowledgeable about a wide range of topics, and loved a good and thought-provoking conversation.

Evan was a faithful and stalwart member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and fulfilled many callings, particularly those related to missionary work, and was a faithful home teacher. He served as a full-time temple worker, along with his wife, at the Chicago, Illinois, temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2007-2009. He had a soft spot for a hard luck story and went out of his way to help many people who found themselves in difficult circumstances.

Evan was a devoted husband and father, and made a point of attending the many performances, games, graduations, and recitals his children participated in. He was always there, willing to try to help, with a listening ear, some good advice, a wise word, or material help when life got difficult. He loved music and was supportive of his children’s musical pursuits. Whenever he could find a moment, he would practice the clarinet, particularly his favorite piece, the Mozart clarinet concerto in A major.

Remaining to cherish Evan’s memory are his wife, Meri Anne (Scott) Harrison, children Alena (Eales), Gretchen (Larsen), Annalisa (Ritter), Sarah (Tavarez), Stanford, Victoria (Shorey), Samuel, Joseph, and Emma (Farnsworth); 36 grandchildren; one great grandchild; brothers Gary and John, and sister Martha (Stoddard); and 37 nieces and nephews. He was deeply loved, and will be missed by his family and friends.

Evan was preceded in death by his parents, Stanford and Marian (Dean), and his sister, Maralyn (Jackson).

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 15, at 10:30 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 979 West Main Street, Superior, Arizona 85173. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. the same day, at the same location. Refreshments will be provided following the service. Interment will be in Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery, 2100 East Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, Arizona.