Cameral Cary Harrison

Cameral Cary Harrison was born in Franklin, Virginia, on September 19, 1939, to Cameral Cary, Sr. and Eunice Harrison. He departed this life on February 18, 2022. Cameral grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia, and moved with his family to Harlem, New York between the ages of 10-11. Harrison attended Haaren High School in Manhattan and after graduating, joined the U.S. Army in 1957. He served as a light weapons infantryman until he was honorably discharged in 1960. In New York, Cameral worked for a printing company and the U.S. Postal Service before accepting a position as a car inspector for the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA). A talented, self-taught visual artist, and at one time a singer with the original assemblage of the 1960’s musical group “The Main Ingredient,” his art murals were displayed on the walls of NYC subway stations, and he won first prize in an art exhibit in 1977, which enabled him to receive formal art training at the Art Students League of New York City until 1980. Cameral specialized in cityscape wood carvings, which he created from memories of his childhood in Harlem. His work was shown at many exhibits throughout the years, including the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Port Authority (World Trade Center), the Dance Theater of Harlem, and the NAACP. He also won several awards, including first prize in the NYCTA Art Association exhibit, and his work was featured in local television news and print publications. In 1983, Cameral opened CP Creation, Inc. with then-partner Phyllis Walton, which provided transportation, daycare and leisure travel services. After retiring from the NYCTA, Cameral and Phyllis relocated to Portsmouth, Virginia. In Virginia, Cameral was a member of the New Mount Olivet Baptist Church, where he was an active member of the senior choir, male chorus and men’s group for many years. In his later years, Cameral continued creating art—producing drawings of his children and grandchildren, celebrities, cityscapes, biblical scenes, and depictions of black life in the U.S. and around the world. Cameral was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lewis Parker, Charlie Parker, Thelmo Parker and Otis Parker, and sister Mary Carter. He leaves to honor his legacy: his wife Phyllis Harrison, sister Patricia Parker-Williams, sons Derek Cary Harrison (Tanya) and Corey Lynn Walton; daughters Kim Harrison-Turner (Edward) (Tren-se’-Friend), Crystal Harrison (Shawan), Akia Taylor, and Precious Caravello (Vincent); grandchildren Edward Julian IV and Elexis Milahn Turner; Charli Spirit and Carter Gray Utley; Rodrigues Larice and Brooke Ciarra Taylor; Tyree Monroe; Destiny Marie and Dominic Anthony Caravello, great-grandchildren Edward Jaxier Turner V-EL and Dante’ Steven, Jordan Tyree and Mikayah Marie Monroe, and a host of godchildren, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Cameral Cary Harrison

September 19, 1939 - February 18, 2022