John Ray Harrison(1930-2001)
- Actor
Harrison, John Ray (1930~2001) John Ray Harrison, former member of the
Texas House of Representatives, District Judge, and four-time mayor of
Pasadena, Texas, was born in Abilene, Texas, on August 2, 1930. He
graduated from Abilene High School and McMurry College. He earned his
doctor of jurisprudence degree from South Texas School of Law. Prior to
embarking on a distinguished political career, her served as a police
officer, classroom teacher, coach, youth counselor and professional
baseball player. He also practiced law for 26 years as a partner in the
law firm of Cammack, Harrison and Coman.
In 1964, Mr. Harrison was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. While in Austin, he introduced the bill that raised the minimum age for school attendance from 16 to 17. He also introduced a toddler's bill, which has since been the model of many municipal ordinances requiring public pools to be fenced for the protection of small children. Following this service, he was elected for two consecutive terms to the Pasadena City Council. He was elected Mayor of the City of Pasadena, Texas in 1973; reelected in 1977, 1985, and 1989. Mr. Harrison was appointed State District Judge in 1973, elected State District Judge in 1982, and most recently, served as a visiting State Judge.
Harrison played the mayor of the town in the 1991 movie Rush, filed in Pasadena, Texas (where he was a four-time mayor), but based on a scandal in the town of Tyler, Texas.
In 1964, Mr. Harrison was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. While in Austin, he introduced the bill that raised the minimum age for school attendance from 16 to 17. He also introduced a toddler's bill, which has since been the model of many municipal ordinances requiring public pools to be fenced for the protection of small children. Following this service, he was elected for two consecutive terms to the Pasadena City Council. He was elected Mayor of the City of Pasadena, Texas in 1973; reelected in 1977, 1985, and 1989. Mr. Harrison was appointed State District Judge in 1973, elected State District Judge in 1982, and most recently, served as a visiting State Judge.
Harrison played the mayor of the town in the 1991 movie Rush, filed in Pasadena, Texas (where he was a four-time mayor), but based on a scandal in the town of Tyler, Texas.