Johnny Mack Harrison

Johnny Mack Harrison attended Kashmere Gardens Jr. /Sr. High School.  He played basketball under Coaches   Weldon Drew and Major Abram Johnny Mack as he was affectedly known was Co-Captain of the 1969 basketball team. One of his proudest athletic achievement was to hand Phillis Wheatley (state championship team) a lost ending their winning streak that was a state record until Kashmere’s 1974-75 team 78 game streak

After graduating from Kashmere in 1969, he accepted a scholarship to attend Texas Southern University (TSU). Under the coaching of Dave Whitney, Johnny Mack once again lettered in basketball as well as received recognition as an Outstanding College Athlete of America. He completed his education at TSU where he received a B.A. in History in 1972.

After working for UPS for about a decade, Johnny Mack return back to the Houston Independent School District as an educator, coach and mentor to numerous students for the 25 years. Johnny Mack returned to his roots and taught at Key Middle School and Kashmere High where he also left an impression on the students and helping them earn District titles in basketball, volleyball, and track and field. Coach Harrison touched impacted many student lives in a way they remember and value today, during that time he also earned his Master degree in Education also from Texas Southern University. Mack was known for his personable, well dressed, loud mouth and “never meet a stranger” personality.

June 2015 Johnny Mack retired from Houston Independent School District. He continued coaching this time with his grandson, Blake “Papa’s Big Boy” Gibson. He would assist in soccer, basketball, football and baseball. Blake and his friends would love to get advice from him and love the way he heckled the referees.  Johnny joined, Texas Association of Sport Officials, again doing what he loved. He traveled all over Houston officiating volleyball and basketball games.          

Johnny Mack is a native of Ringgold, Louisiana. He is the fourth child born to the late Percy Bud Harrison and Z Marie Harrison. On November 14, 1972, he married his High school Sweetheart Ruby Jewel Anderson and had three children born to this union. On January 4, 2017, Johnny Mack was called home to be with our Heavenly Father and those that precede him in death.

Today those he left behind are here to celebrate his life, and induction into his beloved Kashmere Former Athletes Associations Ring of Honor.