Verlon Paul Harmon, Jr.'s Obituary
Verlon Paul Harmon, Jr, age 88, of Dallas, Texas, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, August 21, 2019 in the late hours of the evening.“VP” was born June 14, 1931 in Floydada, Texas. Yes, this is true! He IS a NATIVE Texan! He was the son of Lois Hill and Verlon Paul Harmon, Sr. Due to the Depression, his father moved his family after only 3 months to Tennessee near relatives where VP Sr ran a furniture store. His family enlarged with the addition of his brother Robert (Bob) and sister Martha Jeannine. His family later moved to Forrest City, Arkansas where he received his schooling and graduated from Forrest City High School. He enjoyed learning, baseball, his paper route, working in the drug store and loved being in the band where he played Alto Sax and Oboe. He loved being in the boy’s glee club and earned honors as first position at the boys All State glee club competition. He was also a part of the 1949 All State Band and loved playing in the Forrest Citians dance band. He remained close with many of those Forrest City High School friends.He attended Memphis State College where he received a business degree in Finance and Banking with a minor in Industrial Arts (machine shop, welding, upholstery…etc – skills needed to build a fort for the grandkids OR a storage shed…or 2!) More importantly, he met his future wife, Julia Goode through her brother, Fletcher, who was in the same Sig Ep Fraternity. Julia, played the piano for their Fraternity All-Sing rehearsals. He also began his love for Ice Cream in college by working at Angel Food Ice Cream shop during his years at Memphis State.He served in the United States Army for 3 years and was stationed in Korea as a Sergeant during the Korean War. He loved his country! He said that when he volunteered in 1953, he “embarked on a most valuable, most educational, and most endearing adventure. I learned who I was.” He worked with the Corps of Engineers, received a Citation as most outstanding trainee of the Battalion of 650 men in both Basic and Advanced Engineering training. He won the Eisenhower Spirit of Honor Medal. He was ALWAYS the first to volunteer. He was an example of “whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” Ecclesiastes 9:10.After finishing his tour of duty, Verlon found work in Sherman, TX at Anderson Clayton – Foods Division. A year later, Verlon and his new bride were transferred to Dallas. Soon after, they found a home in Richardson on Donna Drive and neighbors who became life- long friends. Their family expanded with the birth of their daughters Jennifer and Miriam.Verlon worked for almost 30 years at Texas Instruments which he described as “a thrilling privilege”. He started as a Systems Analyst to develop the first automated attendance system (the badge reader!), oversaw as Branch Manager the installation of the new IBM 360 computers in sales and marketing centers around the world, Manager of Global Components, Branch Manager of SemiconductorEngineering Systems and then Semiconductor Financial Systems, had responsibilities over materials and controls for TI watches and calculators, and finally, worked as “Dean Harmon” for Information Systems training where he helped train TI Employees when personal computing. As a result, he got to know many at TI. In his mid -50s, he also went back to school and received his MBA from University of Dallas. He loved learning and even took lessons on the cello in his 70s! He taught college courses at Collin County and LeTourneau University.Verlon loved hunting, fishing and working with wood. He was a helper, and encourager and a friend to many. He exemplified the verse “Help one another.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11Verlon loved the Lord and his church, First Baptist Church, Richardson, where he and his wife have been members for more than 60 years. During all these years, he was active in the adult choir, Men’s Chorus and later, a member of Goldenaires Senior Adult Choir. He was a tenor soloist and always had a song or a tune in his heart to sing or whistle! He also loved playing theatrical roles like “Zacchaeus” or the village “cart pusher” in many Easter programs and VBS skits. He was a Deacon, a Sunday School director for the Singles Class and the Young Married Class. As Grandparents, he and Julia taught Sunday School for Kindergarteners, where he was the chief paper airplane constructor, and they were members of the Morgan Class. After retirement, he volunteered at the Activity Center at FBCR, mentored in the Men’s Ministry and later helped in the International Friends (ESL) ministry. He loved people and dedicated his life to serving others.He was a servant who loved helping and encouraging. He was the best husband, Dad, Pappy, Uncle, Cousin and friend.He is preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Verlon Harmon, Sr, and his brother Dr. Robert (Bob) W Harmon.Continuing his legacy and celebrating his life of kindness and service are: his wife of sixty-two years, Julia Harmon of Dallas; his daughter Jennifer and son-in-law David Webb of Dallas; his daughter Miriam and son-in-law Allan Clayton of Carrollton (now Bryan); “Pappy” to four grandchildren: Eric Clayton, Lisa Clayton Scofield and her husband Reid, Daniel Webb and Andrew Webb; his sister and brother-in-law Martha Jeannine and Howard (Bud) Hamilton from Castle Rock, CO and countless cherished family and friends.Visitation will be held at Restland Funeral Home on Friday, September 6 from 6-8 pm. Services will be held at First Baptist Church Richardson on Saturday, September 7 at 2 pm.Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church Richardson designated to either Goldenaires Senior Adult Ministry or International Friends.In Pappy’s Memory, encourage someone today!Funeral arrangements for Mr. Verlon Paul Harmon, Jr. have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Avenue, at the intersection of Restland Road and Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972)238-7111
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