Stephen Harrison

Stephen Charles Harrison, 41, passed away on Friday, July 12th, 2013. Steve was doing what he loved to do, fly fishing on the Stillwater River with his childhood best friend, Curt Chapman. Stephen was born on October 12, 1971 in Casper, Wyoming to Gerald and Dolly Harrison. He was known to most of his friends and family as 'Charlie' during his childhood years in Linch and Edgerton, Wyoming. He had a younger brother, BJ, and a younger sister Amy. Steve was an athlete his whole life. He started playing baseball at the age of 10 in the Little League and Babe Ruth Leagues. He also played soccer in Buffalo, WY. He attended junior high, and high school in Midwest, Wyoming, graduating in 1990. During junior high and high school, he participated in football, basketball, wrestling, and track. He was the quarterback and kicker for the football team, leading them to the State Championship game his senior year. He wrestled all 4 years of high school, placing 2nd his junior year and 4th at State his senior year. He also took 1st place at State Track in pole vault his senior year. After High School, he played softball for 20 years until it started interfering with his new love...the game of golf. As with every sport, he loved the game, practiced to get better, and it became something he loved doing. Steve's true love was being outdoors. He loved camping, fishing, riding 4-wheelers with his girls, building the best camp fire, and hunting. He taught all three of his girls how to fish, and they can all cast out and wait! They love reeling in their own fish. He was a friend and role model to his brother BJ, sister Amy, and brother-in-law Chad. Steve had many life-long friends, and was liked by everyone who met him. His childhood and lifelong best friend was Curt Chapman, and, Marc Chapman was like a brother to him. His close buddies were Bret Whitaker, and Barry Whitaker, Eric Garnhart, Shawn Sjolin, Larry Sjolin, Brad MacKearney, BJ Jackson and Tony Rouse. In addition, he had a close bond with all of his graduating class. After graduation, Stephen went to Phoenix Institute of Technology graduating in 1992 with an associate degree in Drafting. After an interview with Jim Wertman of CTA, Steve was excited to move to Billings to begin a great career with CTA. He was still employed there at the time of his death, just recently completing 21 years with the company that he was loyal to, proud of, and wanted to retire from. While at CTA, he gained a lifelong friend in Greg Matthews. They were both 'Wyoming Boys' with all of the same interests. Our families spent many great times together camping, and spending holidays together. We were present for all of the births of one another's children. If he ever wanted to go do something, it was always with Greg. He had other great friends at CTA including: Steve Gordon, Kevin Bromenshenk, Jason Adams, Brad Sperry, Greg Dooley, and Brad Feeley. They say opposites attract, and in Steve's case this was so true. Steve and his wife, Tricia Chapman, were high school sweethearts, and began dating in 1987. Tricia moved to Arizona after her high school graduation in 1991 to begin their life together. After moving to Billings in 1992, they were married on February 10, 1995, in Las Vegas, N.V. Steve became a proud father for the first time on October 13, 1997 to a 10 pound baby girl, Payton Rae. Payton was born one day, almost to the minute, after his birthday. At an early age, we noticed many 'traits' she was exhibiting that were identical to her Dad's. While he always said that she was just like him, he was glad she got her mom's brains. The next time he would have as much joy was April 10th, 2003, when Paige Emma was born. It was very clear to him that Paige was very much like her mom and her Uncle Curt. This would mean many more exciting times for him. Paige is such a character, and always made him laugh. Paige enjoys many of the same activities as her dad...learning to use a bow and arrow, golfing, and tying flies. His 'third at bat' was born March 2, 2010. Grace Elaine was born five weeks early and spent 17 days in the NICU at St. V's. We were so happy to bring her home to join our now complete family. Steve was an active dad in his girls' lives. He never missed a soccer game, school function, parent teacher conference, volleyball game, or music concert. Steve was thrilled to watch Payton play volleyball for the Senior High Broncs. He couldn't wait for Paige to start soccer every season. She can kick that ball just like him, and she's got his throwing arm. He was excited for Grace to start preschool. He was also eager to teach her to ride a bike, just like he had done for Payton and Paige. Steve also loved the Denver Broncos. He was born to be a Broncos fan thanks to his Dad!! One of his fondest memories was getting to meet John Elway at a training camp during a summer vacation. He went to many Broncos games, and was ready for the upcoming season to start. Steve loved all types of music. He still loved songs that were favorites of his mom's that he remembered from his childhood. He was our DJ everywhere we went. Steve was very close to his wife's family. He spent a lot of time with his brother-in-law, Chad Chapman, over the last 26 years, and considered him his own brother. Tricia always teased Steve that she really thought her own Dad favored him over her. He knew her family well, and thought the world of her Dad and brother. Steve and Tricia loved to take the girls on trips. They loved camping and going on vacations. Steve cherished the annual camping trip with his whole family over the 4th of July in the Big Horn Mountains. Survived by his wife Tricia; daughters Payton, Paige, and Grace; parents Gerald and Dolly Harrison; sister Amy (Matt) Wilhelms, and children Carson and Morgan Jackson, niece Desiree Harrison and great niece Jersey Cook; cousin Carolyn (John) Barnes and her family Melissa (Justin) Timpany, and Elizabeth Barnes. In-laws; Brad (Sandy) Chapman; Chad and (Colleen) Chapman and children Riley, Bailey, and Chase. Billie Chapman and Jessie Chapman. Guy (Paula) and children Shawna, Will, and Hannah Chapman, Marc Chapman, Curt (Angie) children Hayley and Ashley Chapman. Preceded in death by his brother BJ, both sets of grandparents, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Service: Services will be held at Dahl Funeral Chapel (10 Yellowstone Ave. Billings, Montana) on Wednesday July 17th, 2013, at 2:00 PM.