Brian Harrison

Brian passed away at Penrose Hospital on April 5, 2024 with family by his side. He leaves a hole in our hearts knowing he won’t be here to provide that humor, wit, and big hug at our time of need. He is greatly missed and dearly loved by many. Born in Colorado Springs to Ron and Sandy Harrison, he was quite the bold addition to a family of three that included his 7-year-old sister, Jenni. Growing up in the woods of Woodland Park he was his big sister’s constant shadow. He loved being outside, playing with his Tonka Tractors, riding bikes, hiking deep into the national forest and going to friends’ houses. Cold winters meant hours indoors by the warm fires, home cooked meals and lots of music albums his mom and dad played on the stereo. For hours on end, Brian rocked back and forth on his rocking horse to the beat. One sad day he broke a hole through the saddle, retiring that poor plastic rocker, and boy did he miss it. Brian didn’t just listen to music, he felt it! Since day one, Brian was quite the character. He learned to get attention by imitating family members and he could find the one thing you did uniquely and nail it. Your walk, talk and mannerisms came to life as he imitated and turned you into an extreme version of yourself, getting tears of laughter from anyone in the room. Brian loved to make everyone laugh, so if he was making a mockery of you it’s because he loved you and naturally, enjoyed all the attention he could get from his act. Once he got into grade school, he turned classrooms into audiences of roaring laughter and teachers into basket cases in no time. This was the Brian from then on that everyone knows and loves (or “puts up with,” as he himself has said). Brian’s immediate family grew in 1993 when his sister married his friend Ryan’s older brother Glenn in Woodland Park. When the couple moved back home from years away in Ft. Collins, they started a family that gave Brian his nephew Brandon, and his niece Rachel. He was such a proud uncle. He loved babysitting those two and did a wonderful job at it. As adults, he never let those two forget (or anyone within earshot), how he wiped their behinds and changed their diapers. They loved their Uncle Brian, as he was like a big kid entertaining them from the start.

In 1998, he married Shannon Hackler and they started a family of their own; first their daughter, Ashley and then their son, Tyler. He loved taking his family camping in the great outdoors, around the Pikes Peak area. He treated his kids to amusement parks, Nuggets and Broncos games, you name it, as long as it was fun! When it came to entertainment, money was no object to this dad. He was a generous, giving and loving dad. He was a great cook, griller and maker of his famous “Daddy-Burgers” that his family regularly requested.

Brian was an avid guitarist and carried that love of music that was instilled in him from his mom and dad. His first concert was a treat to him in 9th grade from his sister and brother-in-law. They took him and Glenn’s little brother to a Primus concert and that was the gateway for dozens more varieties of venues he started to attended. Years later he took his dad to one of those Primus concerts, convinced him to get a bass guitar, and opened him up to some great music. Brian was so excited when he recently purchased an Ibanez Electric Guitar, and it was in that way that the two of them really connected playing their music, growing closer than they’ve ever been.

Growing up, Brian was raised “outside” the restaurant business as his charm got him out of working and doing chores around the house. As an adult, Brian learned skills behind the grills working at restaurants in Woodland Park. His mom, sister, and aunt all worked at Grandmother’s Kitchen and he eventually joined his mom and Auntie Diane as a cook. He kept the crew in laughter and tears, joking that he would put on a granny apron and do the easy work, “Hwaitressing” to show them how it’s done! Best left to the cooking, he had always attracted a loyal following of customers that only wanted to make the drive up Ute Pass if they were positive Brian was in the kitchen that day. He was an excellent cook and very proud of his talent-sometimes bragging, but he had every right to. Later on, he worked at the new Denny’s in Woodland Park and gained many new friendships and customers there as well. To Brian, the way to your heart is through your stomach and that is also how he loved people-through good food and his preparation behind it.

In 2019, Brian moved to Canon City to be close to all of his family and got to work immediately at the Royal Gorge Route Railroad with the food service team. Brian was jokingly “allowed” to work on board the RGRR since he, “knew a guy” that worked there (brother-in-law, Glenn), and was very thankful to be given the opportunity to be a part of a great food service team. Soon the kitchen staff became his family and many great friendships were formed. In May of 2022, his daughter made him a proud Grandpa and he loved being around his precious grandson Theo. As a guitarist, Grandpa Brian enjoyed playing for him and even let Theo try to play his guitar hoping to pass some of that talent down the line to, “rock-on” someday. His recent relationship with his girlfriend Kody brought him down a path of forgiveness and thankfulness to those most important in his life. They comforted each other in a way that gave both peace. If you received a message from Brian it was because you really mattered and he needed to tell you how much you did. No one was taken for granted and the messages he sent to us were positive. We are thankful for Kody as the stories and memories he confided in her begin to unfold and we will forever treasure them all.

Brian is survived by his parents, Ron and Sandy Harrison; sister, Jennifer (Glenn) Hayes; nephew, Brandon (Samara) Hayes; niece, Rachel (Mitch McFee); daughter, Ashley Harrison, (Grandson Theo); and son, Tyler of Canon City, CO; Shannon Hackler, mother of Ashley and Tyler; Chuck and Sherry Hackler, parents of Shannon; Shawn and Chuck, brothers of Shannon; girlfriend, Kody; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins across the states from Florida to California.

Guilt is a terrible burden to carry. Brian would not want to place that on anyone and none of us wanted that for him. He lived his life on his own terms and we were all lucky enough to have taken that ride with him. Bold, simple, loyal, and fun he befriended all walks of life with no prejudices. He just wanted you to feel included, always heard, and close to his heart. We miss you Brian. We know you are reuniting with many friends you’ve lost in the past, and someday we will have our reunion too. We will meet in a place with no judgement, recollecting all of the amazing times we had, laughing with you as we always have. Until then, when we hear that song that got us going with you Brian, we know you are there enjoying every moment of it with us.

Cremation was chosen and there will be no services at this time. Later, a celebration of life will be held and everyone can bring stories to share in remembrance of good times and laughter with Brian. Please check for updates on time and place for the celebration and to leave online condolences or words of comfort for family.

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