A visitation will be held Monday, June 7, 2021 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am, all at Memorial Funeral Home, Columbia.
Jay was born in Boone County, Mo, on October 14, 1929, a son of Shady Lilbert Harmon and Elsie Leah Charlton Harmon. He married Anna Sue Bryant on May 21, 1951 when he was on leave from Army training en route to active duty in Korea.
Jay, also affectionately known as Jaybird, graduated from Hickman High School in 1948 and lived in Columbia sixty years. He worked as a technician for Central Office Equipment for much of his career.
After retirement, Jay and Anna Sue moved to the farm in Millersburg and, along with Roger, they farmed where Jay’s passion for the outdoors and hard work were fully realized. His mechanical experience came in handy while keeping farm equipment running. He enjoyed raising cattle and harvesting hay. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing and could catch one nearly anywhere.
Jay and Anna Sue loved to camp with friends and family, including many years when they were Good Sam Club members. In the early years they tent camped with their children and their friends then progressed into larger and nicer campers until they wintered in a well-appointed motorhome several years near Harlingen, Texas. Nothing pleased them more than family and friends visiting them in Texas so they could visit all their favorite spots under the auspices of guiding tours. Folks knew they would have a good time with Jay and he did his best to please.
Family meant the world to Jay as his parents inspired the joy of belonging to a large family so for his 90th birthday, family celebrated with him by holding a reunion.
Jay is survived by his wife of 69 years, Anna Sue Bryant Harmon, son Roger Harmon (Janie), and daughter Janis Harmon Stock of Millersburg, grandchildren Jennifer Toohey (Brian), Kelly Carney, Amanda VanMatre (Brennan), and Matt Stock (Gina); and great-grandchildren Aiden, Ella, and Grayson Toohey, Lila Carney, Kyler and Brecken VanMatre, and Kori Jay Stock, who is named in honor of her great-grandfather. Jay is also survived by his sisters Dorothy McBride of Canton, GA, Shirley Smith (Billy Jack) of Columbia, and brother Larry Harmon (Judy) of Hallsville, and many dear nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by a large circle of friends.
Family members who preceded Jay in death include his parents, brother Leonard, sisters Bonnie Poe, Alma Holton, and Yvonne Bryant.
The family wishes to thank caregivers at The Arbors at Millcreek and Parkside Manor who compassionately cared for Jay during the past two years.
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