Dr. Thomas Gleich Harrison, 84, passed away peacefully on September 9th, 2023, in Denton, Texas surrounded by family. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on March 31, 1939, to William Curtis and Rita Marie Gleich, his mother remarried to Richard Harrison in April of 1952.

Dr. Harrison traveled the world during the WWII era with his parents and fell in love with the stories, history, and people of the war time. He attended the United States Army Dependents High School in Paris where he received his diploma on the 5th day of June 1957. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science. A Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Missouri in 1968, and received his Doctor of Philosophy, also from the University of Missouri in 1972. He began and finished his career at The University of North Texas as a professor of physics and astronomy; as well as serving as the Radiation Safety Officer for the State of Texas. He retired from UNT in 2004 to begin his new chapter as an author; his first book, "Kassell", was published in April of 2013, for which he was so very proud of. He continued to write, research, and publish other books and articles.

He grew up playing ice hockey and was 75 years young the last time he laced up his skates and hit the ice. He loved the Dallas Stars and was loved by the 1999 Stanley Cup players who called him "The Professor". He enjoyed going to many games with his daughter with whom he shared that passion with. He loved to play golf with his son and cherished those times spent with him. He adored both his children and always made sure to express how proud of them he was. He also shared that pride in his granddaughter and great grandson. He loved life and lived it on his terms, and he left this world the same way he lived it. He is surely flying high now with the tailwinds of grace.

He is survived by his daughter, Lara Harrison of Winnsboro, Texas, son, Joseph Harrison of Denton, sister, Marianne Harrison of California, stepsister, Vicky Gleich of Michigan, half-brother, Rick Harrison of California, grandchild, Christina Lynn Hellums, and great-grandchild, Tyler Thomas Rumfield.

He was preceded in death by his mother and both fathers.

No services are planned at this time. The children are asking in leu of flowers or cards, to plant a tree in his memory. Magnolia trees will be planted in his memory by his children and family.