Michael Joseph Harmon, age 82, a longtime resident of Daytona Beach, Florida, died Wednesday, November 28, 2012, in Hanford, CA, where he had lived since May of this year at the home of his youngest son William E. “Ernie” Harmon and his beloved daughter-in-law Kimberly Harmon. Mike, as he was called, was nearly always the victor in life’s battles, but it was cancer that won the last battle.
Mike was born to John Ernest Harmon and Clarine Virginia Ockerman on September 14, 1930, on a farm just outside the little town of Midway, Kentucky. “Big” brother John, Jr, also welcomed Mike, and some year’s later two sisters arrived, Betty Mae and Sue Carole. As he grew older, Mike spent summers on the farm in Alton, Kentucky, with his Ockerman grandparents and with his Grandmother Harmon in Midway.
By 1936 the family had moved to Lexington, Kentucky, and it was there that Mike discovered Boy Scouts, an organization in which he would have a lifetime involvement. He was also devoted to helping his family so he mowed yards, delivered papers, worked in grocery stores, and in any place where he could find employment. His education, all in Lexington, began at Ashland Avenue Elementary School just across the street from home; continued in Morton Junior High where he excelled in shop class; and culminated in graduation in 1949 from Henry Clay High School where he was stage manager and played tuba in the band. Outside school he enjoyed being in the Naval Reserve.
And then came the Korean Conflict, but before he could enlist in the Navy, he was drafted into the Army and selected for Officer Candidate School. A wounded leg put him into the hospital for a time. Following his discharge, he enrolled in a six-year work/training program to become a journeyman printer at the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper. In November 1953, a blind date with a young lady changed his life. And so on September 11, 1954, in the Harrodsburg (KY) Christian Church, Miss Jane Cocanougher and Mr. Michael Joseph Harmon were wed, thus beginning a marriage that would last for 58 years. Two sons were born to complete the little family: Michael, Jr., in 1955, and William Ernest in 1958.
Mike worked as a printer in Lexington, KY, for a number of years and later in Ohio at the Cincinnati Inquirer and the Dayton Daily News. Then his work took him to California where he worked at the Long Beach Independent Press Telegram, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Sacramento Bee, the Modesto Bee, and the Fresno Bee. Returning to Lexington, he moved into middle management, and in 1973 he and his wife moved to Daytona Beach, FL, to become the assistant managers of a 272-unit apartment complex. In 1975 he began a career with JC Penney, working in maintenance, automotive sales, restaurant management, and finally as maintenance engineer, a position he held until his retirement in 1993.
Mike’s activities, awards, and honors would fill a book. He was an avid reader, particularly enjoying the stories of Louis Lamour. As a native son of Kentucky, he was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in 2004 on the occasion of his 50th wedding anniversary. His main lifetime interests were his family, his church, his work in Scouting, and his work in helping veterans through Disabled American Veterans, an organization of which he was a lifetime member. He was elected to serve two terms as Commander of DAV Chapter 84, and he was chairman of the Florida State DAV Constitution Committee. He served his church as a Deacon, an Elder, a Board member, as President of the Men’s Group, and in numerous leadership positions on church committees. In 1984 he was selected as the Florida state Layman-of-the-Year by the Florida Disciples Men, an organization in which he served six years as Vice President, President, and Past President. In his 72 years of Scouting he served as Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, Cub Scout Chairman, Popcorn Colonel, Roundtable Commissioner, and in many other leadership roles. Among the many awards he received were the District Award of Merit, the Silver Beaver, the God and Service Award, and dozens of other honors. He earned his Wood Badge beads and neckerchief at age 81, the oldest scout leader in the district to ever do so.
Mike never saw a stranger, and he never failed to help someone in need. He leaves behind his wife Jane, his son Ernie and daughter-in-law Kim, Hanford; his son Michael, Orlando, FL; his sisters Betty Daniel and Sue Salyer, Lexington, KY; his sister-in-law Ellen Clausen-Harmon, Seal Beach, CA; his grandson William L. Harmon, wife Stephanie, great-grand daughter Keidyn, great-grandson William Tucker, and his grandson Patrick White, all of Lemoore; his granddaughter Amanda Hulett, husband Kyle, and great-grand sons Tyler and Noah of South Carolina; an “adopted” son Bradley Willsey of Arkansas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends all across the USA. Heaven has a new angel, but Earth has lost a faithful Irishman.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at South Valley Community Church, 1050 W. Bush Street, Lemoore, CA 93245 559-924-3458.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Michael’s memory to www.aplacetogive.scouting.org
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