Donald Ray Harrigill passed from this life on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at his home after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 84. He was a long-time resident of Brookhaven, and a well-known local businessman, entrepreneur, and active community leader for many decades.
Don was born on October 6, 1939, in Natchez, Mississippi to Donald Bernard Harrigill and Gertrude Ray Harrigill, the firstborn of their five children. He graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1957 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Millsaps College in 1961.
Don had a long and varied professional career. Following his graduation from Millsaps, he worked at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, on several projects for NASA including the Saturn V which was part of the original Apollo 11 mission that placed the first man on the moon. Following the completion of this project, Don returned to Brookhaven and began a series of entrepreneurial endeavors. He purchased two companies, Harrigill Postal Service and OK Welding Company, both started by his father, D.B. Harrigill. He expanded his focus by founding Harrigill Trucking Company as well as Harrigill Refuse Service and eventually became the owner of Hartman-Henderson (Harrigill) Funeral Home in downtown Brookhaven. Over the course of his career, he was able to provide many jobs for others and benefit the local community through his efforts. He was a member of First United Methodist Church where he served as the Chairman of the Board for many years, he was a Freemason, and involved in various civic organizations such as the Kiwanis Club and the Shriners, as well as a long-time member of the Chamber of Commerce where he was honored with the Soap Box Award for bringing new industry to Brookhaven.
Because of the breadth of his work and community involvement, many people came to know him and he was a joy to know and a cherished member of his family known as Grandaddy, Papi, and Lindo to those who loved and knew him best.
Don is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Muriel Harrigill Dale of Florence. His survivors include his wife Hilda and his daughter Shelley Harrigill Barron and her husband Chad, of Brookhaven, as well as his three children with his first wife Susan Coats Harrigill, Alana Leigh Harrigill of Ridgeland, Keith Martin Harrigill and his wife, Elena, of Birmingham, Alabama, and Ray Fulton Harrigill and his wife, Monica, of Madison. Additionally, Don is survived by his brothers Alan Howard Harrigill and Bernard Harrigill of Brandon, and by his sister, Julia Harrigill Goodyear of Savannah, Tennessee, along with his four beloved grandchildren: Tori Harrigill, Max Harrigill, Graham Llivina and Ginger Llivina.
Visitation will be at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church from 9:00-11:00 AM on Saturday, July 13, 2024, located at 227 East Cherokee Street, Brookhaven, Mississippi. A memorial service will be held at the church at 11:00 AM, followed by interment at Riverwood Memorial Park.
