Gus Harrison's Obituary
East Lansing - Gus Harrison of East Lansing, Michigan, passed away on January 1, 2017, at the age of 99. He is survived by five children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Sue.Gus was born in Connecticut on November 1, 1917, to Greek immigrants. He moved to East Lansing, Michigan, in 1935 to attend Michigan State University where he received a BA in Sociology and an MA in History. He also received honorary LLB from Olivet College. He served as a Naval officer in the Pacific during WWII.Gus was the director of the Michigan Department of Corrections from 1953 to 1972. He was acknowledged nationally as a progressive leaser in the area of corrections, and the Michigan penal system was regarded as one of the most humane and effective in the nation. He developed educational programs and was the author of many articles on preparing offenders for re-entry into society. The Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian was named in his honor.In 1972, Gov. Milliken selected Gus to develop a lottery for the State of Michigan. Under his direction, the Michigan lottery was the most financially successful of all of the nation's state lotteries and has, to this day, remained free of any serious scandal. When he retired in 1979, the Michigan lottery was the most productive and economically operated of all state lotteries (top sales and lowest costs). His reputation with the Michigan Legislature was legendary as he often returned money back to the state at the end of the fiscal year.In later years he consulted and lobbied in the areas of both lotteries and prisons. He had a passion for golf and at one time sported a three handicap.Gus will be remembered for his toughness combined with integrity and incorruptibility.
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