Wayne Harmon

Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wayne Harmon

Wayne Gray Harmon, 81, of Mountain Home, died Feb. 14, 2009, at a local hospital.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. at Adrian's Club. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post #26.

Harmon was born on Oct. 14, 1927, in Abingdon, Va., to Robert Dewey and Edith Mae Harmon.

After high school, he joined the Merchant Marines in Florida. When his father took work in California, he left the Merchant Marines and went to Hemet, Calif., with his family.

He joined the U.S. Navy on Nov. 19, 1945, serving as a commissary man and ship's cook. He retired on March 22, 1965. He made two world cruises and served on six ships including the USS Boxer, USS Kearsarge and the USS Mars.

After the Navy, he worked as a cook at nursing homes in San Diego. He found a permanent position with the State of California Probation Department at Juvenile Hall and the Honor Camps in Campo, Calif., where he was head cook for 20 years.

He moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1991. "Dad loved the South and everything about it," his family said.

He spent the last 15 years in Mountain Home. "Dad found many hours of pleasure fishing, camping and hunting in the surrounding areas. Dad's favorite place to visit with friends and family was Adrian's Club and the Edge. Dad loved to joke and tease," his family said.

His first love was Dolores Vars. Together they had three children, Deborah, Christopher and Geraldine. They later divorced and dad married Delaine Walters and they had one child, Sheila Marie. They later divorced and he married his "sweetheart," Marjorie Wykes. They were married for 20 years before she passed away.

Wayne is survived by: his daughters, Deborah, Geraldine and Shiela Marie and her husband, Mike; his son, Christopher, and his wife, Lynette; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margie, one brother and two sisters.