Longtime Michigan Quarter Horse breeder and owner Walter Richard “Dick” Harrison, 93, passed away February 21.

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BATTLE CREEK, MI–FEBRUARY 24, 2024–Funeral services are set Friday, March 1 for longtime Quarter Horse owner-breeder Walter Richard "Dick" Harrison who passed away on February 21, 2024, at the age of 93. 

Funeral services to celebrate Dick’s life will be held 11:00 a.m. (EDT) at the Hickory Corners Bible Church, 13720 Kellogg School Rd. Hickory Corners, MI 49060. 

The family will receive friends 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 29, 2024, at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D. Ave. (M-89) Richland, MI 49083. 

Interment with military honors will follow at East Hickory Corners Cemetery. 

Dick was born on September 22, 1930 in Augusta, Michigan, one of 11 children born to Walter Clark and Flora (Gamble) Harrison.  Dick attended W.K. Kellogg Agricultural School, graduating in 1948.  

He resided in Barry County since 1964.  At that time he became involved in the Barry County 4-H program as a “General Club Leader” and eventually became the president of the Barry County 4-H Council.  

He was also involved in organizing the Delton Athletic Boosters Club and was its inaugural president.  Dick was a member of the 172nd Fighter Squadron that was activated from Kellogg Field in 1951 and was honorably discharged in August of 1952 at the end of the Korean war. 

In 1987 Dick retired as District Service Manager from Consumers Power Co. after 38 years of service. After retiring, he obtained a real-estate license and worked for several offices in the Battle Creek area.

Dick’s passion in life (second only to the love for his family), was raising, breeding and racing Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds.  He became quite good at this. 

The American Quarter Horse Association (“AQHA”) recently honored him in 2022  for his success by recognizing him as one of Quarter Horse Industry’s cumlative breeders for over 50-years.

Dick was determined to be successful from the very beginning and was able to create an effective breeding program from scratch. AQHA has brought many opportunities his way including Gray Ghost setting a track record at Beulah Park in 1984 that has yet to be broken. 

Since 2000, Equibase reports Harrison won  over 100 races with earnings of more than $1.3 million. His top horses include Grade 3 winners Fearles Fred, Senorita Tres and  Heza Contender, as well as Grade 1 placed Politicaly Correct, to name only a few.

He had been the past president of the Great Lakes Quarter Horse Association and member of its Board of Directors for several years.   He was also a member of the AQHA serving on their Racing Committee Board.  He was a true cowboy at heart.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, all of his 10 brothers and sisters and a son Timothy Harrison.  Surviving are his wife and constant companion Lois (Washington), son Phil (Janet) Harrison, grandchildren Arin (Roberto) Giannandrea, Gabe (Dorothy) Harrison and Jessica (Justin) Dixon.  Also surviving are six (6) great grandchildren and two (2) Great-Great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Centrica Care Navigators (Hospice), 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 https://centricacare.org/.  Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Dick may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.