Roger Lee Harrison, 81, of Bentonville, Arkansas passed away July 2, 2023 of COPD under the compassionate and excellent care of Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was born March 8, 1942 in Harrison, Arkansas to the late Tommie Lee and Evelyn Johns Harrison. Roger Lee graduated from Bentonville High School in 1960 and attended Hendrix College. He became a stockbroker in New Orleans and was quite successful in that profession. However, in 1972 his mother sent him a copy of Chaim Potok's bestselling novel "The Chosen". It so impressed him he decided a movie had to be made of it for those people who would not have read the book. This became an obsession of his and remained so until finally, after nine years, he was able to see the film shot in New York City in 1980 and premiered in 1981 in theaters all over the world. The film won best picture in the Montreal Film Festival and Rod Steiger won best actor for his role in the film. To this day, the film is shown on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) television channel with a reference of Roger Lee's journey to produce the film. It was a long journey between 1972 and 1981, and "what had become his dream had become everyone else's nightmare" as his wife, Beverly, put it. Friends and family both wanted to "wring his neck" at times, but his vibrant personality, charm and contrition always seemed to win them back. (There very well may be some people that were not won back!) He kept following his dream of being a movie producer until Hollywood "kicked his butt" as he put it. He returned home to the Bentonville area in January of 2022 to spend the rest of his life peacefully with family and friends. Roger Lee made many lifelong friends from coast to coast who enjoyed his entertaining and outgoing personality and enthusiasm of always having a great time wherever he might be. He loved to dance and play the piano and was excellent at both. His renditions playing the piano and singing "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis and "Mule Skinner Blues" by Jimmie Rodgers were enjoyed by all who heard him do so. He was definitely "one of a kind" and will be missed by all who loved him. Roger was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Burroughs Harrison; son, John Stephen Harrison; paternal grandparents Luther Edward Harrison and Tommie Lee Burgess Harrison; maternal grandparents, Roger Festus Johns and Bertha Knode Johns; numerous aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Evelyn Paige Francis and her husband Darren; two grandchildren, Fox Hollis and Bella Frost Francis of whom he was so very proud; brother Thomas Luther Harrison and his wife Frances; sisters, Sarah Lynn Kendall and her husband Donnie, Sandra Ann Hayhurst and her husband Walter; sister-in-law, Betsy Burroughs Penix and husband Jay, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

There will be a private ceremony at the Bentonville Cemetery with immediate family. At a later date in the fall, a celebration of his life will be held with family and friends. Notification will be given closer to the date.

The family appreciates the loving care he received at his assisted living residence at The Gardens at Osage Terrace and finally, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville where he was able to pass on peacefully and with dignity.

Donations in memory of Roger Lee Harrison, can be made to his beloved grandchildren's college 529 accounts for Bella at gift.my529.org Code: PB2U19 and for Fox at gift.my529.org Code: E4MCIR

or to Circle of Life Hospice 901 Jones Road Springdale, AR 72762 or on line at nwacircleoflife.com