Carl Adrian Harmon, husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully Nov. 20, 2014 in Largo, Fla. He was born in Lafayette County, Mo., on July 6, 1919.
Adrian was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Alonzo Harmon and Bonnie Wilson Harmon; sister, Marie Harmon Anderson, Los Angeles, Calif.; brothers, Marshall and Neal Harmon of Warrensburg, Mo.; and his wife of 73 years, Margaret Handly Harmon.
Adrian was a 65-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Warrensburg, a 50-year member of the Corinthian Masonic Lodge #265 (32nd Degree), Life Member of Elks Lodge #673, Warrensburg Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), and volunteered for many community organizations.
Adrian grew up on a 250 acre grain and livestock farm near the Cedar Grove community in southern Lafayette County. After leaving the farm, Adrian and Margaret started their life as entrepreneurs. Their first company was a trucking company specializing in hauling livestock to and from the Kansas City stockyards. Shortly after this successful start up, they moved on to farm machinery and an automobile dealership in Odessa, Mo. Soon they found an opportunity to move to Warrensburg and purchase into the Ford car dealership, becoming friends with A. C. "Gus” Bass, the president of the Citizens Bank of Warrensburg. From this friendship they were offered the opportunity to purchase the controlling interest of the Citizens Bank. Adrian and Margaret decided this was the opportunity they were looking for and sold their successful Ford dealership to partner Jerry Tally, farms and other business interests to purchase the stock in the bank.
From that first stock purchase in 1953, Adrian and Margaret continued to expand their banking investments. By 1972, they had acquired controlling interest in five banks in western Missouri (Warrensburg, Lamar, Liberal, Stover, and Kansas City) and a successful mortgage banking business in Springfield, Mo. The family then formed Central Mortgage Bancshares, Inc. and continued to expand, acquiring the Citizens Bank of Nevada, Mo. The final expansion took place when Central Mortgage Bancshares elected to complete a public offering allowing the company to expand in the Kansas City, Mo. banking market. In 1995, Adrian and Margaret decided it was time to slow down and recommended the company accept an offer to merge with the Mercantile Bancorp of St. Louis, Mo. At the time of the merger, Central Mortgage Bancshares, Inc. had total assets exceeding $700 million dollars.
Adrian and Margaret loved to watch sports and were long time supporters of the University of Central Missouri sports programs. Their interest in education led them to support many academic programs and scholarships culminating with the naming of the Adrian and Margaret Harmon College of Business Administration at UCM in their honor. In addition, they support nursing scholarships through The Research Foundation and math scholarships and graduate business scholarships through the UCM Foundation. Adrian was on the Board of Directors of Powell Gardens and supported the gardens providing the first trolley, supporting the Island Garden and Heartland Harvest Garden. Adrian supported the American Legion Missouri Boys State program from the time he joined Citizens Bank. He not only provided financial support, but he encouraged officers and employees to volunteer their time for the week long program. Adrian and Margaret believed in giving back to the community that provided them with the opportunity to raise their family and grow their businesses.
He is survived by his sons, Lynn A. Harmon (Jacqueline), Tommy D. Harmon (Muffet), and daughter, Deborah Harmon Rankin; eight grandchildren, Monte Harmon (Tammy), Shanna Harmon O’Donnell (Francis), Muffet Harmon Eskra (Todd), Heather R. Rankin, Thomas B. Harmon (Vicki), Meridith Harmon Sauer (Aaron), Ashley Rankin Whobrey (Tim), Dr. Summer Rankin (Ajay); 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at First United Methodist Church, 141 E. Gay St., Warrensburg, Mo., at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, under the direction of Sweeny-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home.
A visitation will be at 10 a.m. preceding the service.
Interment will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to UCM Foundation, Powell Gardens Foundation, The Research Foundation, First United Methodist Church of Warrensburg, or The Missouri Boys State.
Donations may be mailed in care of the Sweeny-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home, 617 N. Maguire St., Warrensburg, MO 64093.
Carl Adrian Harmon, husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully Nov. 20, 2014 in Largo, Fla. He was born in Lafayette County, Mo., on July 6, 1919.
Adrian was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Alonzo Harmon and Bonnie Wilson Harmon; sister, Marie Harmon Anderson, Los Angeles, Calif.; brothers, Marshall and Neal Harmon of Warrensburg, Mo.; and his wife of 73 years, Margaret Handly Harmon.Margaret Katherine Harmon
Margaret Katherine Harmon
MARGARET KATHERINE HARMON Margaret Katherine Harmon, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully October 4, 2014, in Largo, Florida. She and her husband of 73 years Adrian Harmon were long time residents of Warrensburg before retiring to Florida. She was born in Johnson County, Missouri February 4, 1923 to her parents Edward H Handly, Jr. and Kate Young Handly. Margaret was a 65 year member of the First United Methodist Church of Warrensburg, 50 Year member of PEO Chapter KD, Past State President of the Federated Women's Club, 50 year member of Daughters of the American Revolution and volunteered for many community organizations. Margaret and Adrian were active supporters of the University of Central Missouri sports teams and academic programs. Prior to retirement they would frequently be seen at Mules and Jennies sporting events cheering on their favorite team. Their support of the Adrian and Margaret Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies continues today with scholarship opportunities for graduate students. She loved to go to Powell Gardens and supported the building of Heartland Harvest garden, dedicating the Silo to the Farmers of Missouri. She continued her support in a wide range of activities, including nursing scholarships through the Research Foundation in Kansas City, Math scholarships for students from Stover, Missouri, Missouri Girls Town, The American Legion Missouri Boy's State and the United Methodist Church Foundation. Margaret is survived by her husband, sons Lynn A Harmon (Jackie), Tommy D. Harmon (Muffet), and daughter Deborah Harmon Rankin, eight grand children, Monte Harmon (Tammy), Shanna Harmon O'Donnall (Francis) ,Meridith Harmon Sauer (Aaron), Muffet Harmon Eskra (Todd), Thomas B Harmon (Vicki), Heather R. Rankin, Ashley Rankin Whobrey (Tim), Dr. Summer Rankin (Ajay), 15 great grand children and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Ann Handly Bechhold Marr and brother Lynn Y Handly of Warrensburg, Missouri. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 141 East Gay Street in Warrensburg, Missouri, under the direction of Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to service time at the church. Interment will follow at the Sunset Hill Cemetery In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to, UCM foundation, Powell Gardens Foundation, The Research Foundation, Missouri Girls Town, First United Methodist Church of Warrensburg. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?pid=172741061#sthash.LAxcgh6f.dpuf
MARGARET KATHERINE HARMON Margaret Katherine Harmon, loving wife,
mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully October 4,
2014, in Largo, Florida. She and her husband of 73 years Adrian Harmon were
long time residents of Warrensburg before retiring to Florida. She was born in
Johnson County, Missouri February 4, 1923 to her parents Edward H Handly, Jr.
and Kate Young Handly. Margaret was a 65 year member of the First United
Methodist Church of Warrensburg, 50 Year member of PEO Chapter KD, Past State
President of the Federated Women's Club, 50 year member of Daughters of the
American Revolution and volunteered for many community organizations. Margaret
and Adrian were active supporters of the University of Central Missouri sports
teams and academic programs. Prior to retirement they would frequently be seen
at Mules and Jennies sporting events cheering on their favorite team. Their
support of the Adrian and Margaret Harmon College of Business and Professional
Studies continues today with scholarship opportunities for graduate students.
She loved to go to Powell Gardens and supported the building of Heartland
Harvest garden, dedicating the Silo to the Farmers of Missouri. She continued
her support in a wide range of activities, including nursing scholarships
through the Research Foundation in Kansas City, Math scholarships for students
from Stover, Missouri, Missouri Girls Town, The American Legion Missouri Boy's
State and the United Methodist Church Foundation. Margaret is survived by her
husband, sons Lynn A Harmon (Jackie), Tommy D. Harmon (Muffet), and daughter
Deborah Harmon Rankin, eight grand children, Monte Harmon (Tammy), Shanna
Harmon O'Donnall (Francis) ,Meridith Harmon Sauer (Aaron), Muffet Harmon Eskra
(Todd), Thomas B Harmon (Vicki), Heather R. Rankin, Ashley Rankin Whobrey
(Tim), Dr. Summer Rankin (Ajay), 15 great grand children and many nieces and
nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Ann Handly Bechhold
Marr and brother Lynn Y Handly of Warrensburg, Missouri. Funeral services will
be held Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist
Church, 141 East Gay Street in Warrensburg, Missouri, under the direction of
Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home. The family will receive friends
from 10:00 to service time at the church. Interment will follow at the Sunset
Hill Cemetery In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to, UCM foundation,
Powell Gardens Foundation, The Research Foundation, Missouri Girls Town, First
United Methodist Church of Warrensburg.
Published in Kansas City Star on Oct. 9, 2014
Read more here:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?pid=172741061#storylink=cpy
Visitation
Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Church
Funeral service
Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014
11:00 AM
First United Methodist Church
Warrensburg, MO
First United Methodist Church
141 East Gay
Street ( Corner of College & Gay Streets)
Warrensburg,
Missouri 64093
660-747-8158
Visitation
Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Church
Funeral service
Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014
11:00 AM
First United Methodist Church
Warrensburg, MO
ADRIAN AND MARGARET HARMON BUSINESS
GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
Established 2006 The Adrian and Margaret Harmon Business Graduate Scholarship is available through the University of Central Missouri Foundation for a graduate student pursuing a masters degree in the Harmon College of Business Administration. This scholarship is made possible by way of a gift from Adrian and Margaret Harmon of Warrensburg, Missouri.
SCHOLARSHIP BACKGROUND:
Adrian Harmon and Margaret Handly Harmon grew up in a small rural community near Warrensburg, with their family farms just a few miles apart. They were married in July 1941 and have three grown children, eight grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Adrian graduated from College High School in 1938 and went on to attend Central Missouri State Teachers College in 1939 and 1940 prior to World War II. After his father’s death, he operated the 340-acre family farm until he went into business with his brother. In 1945 Adrian and Margaret formed a partnership with Adrian’s brother and purchased an automobile dealership in Odessa, MO. The Harmons moved to Warrensburg in June of 1949 and purchased the Theodore Shock Ford Agency Business. They partnered with Jerry Tally to form the Harmon Motor Company on July 1, 1949. Two months later they purchased the Ford Tractor and Dearborn Farm Machinery firm from
Mr. Shock. In May 1950 the Harmons became part owners in the development, construction, and management of Bi-Lo Market, a new local supermarket. In March 1953 they disposed of the various business interests and consolidated holdings in order to take an active part in the management of the Citizens Bank. Adrian became a vice-president of the bank, marking the first time a member of the Cheatham family had not been connected actively with the bank’s management since its founding in 1888. The Harmons continued to purchase banks and by 1972 they had acquired 7 banks and a mortgage banking company in Springfield, MO. The banks merged and operated as Central Mortgage Bancshares, Inc., which later merged into Mercantile Bank Corporation of St. Louis. Margaret and Adrian Harmon are long-time business leaders in the community and have a strong association with the University of Central Missouri. Their tremendous support is evident in their many philanthropic efforts both on campus and throughout the community. Loyal fans for all athletic sports, for years they have supported student athletics, mentoring and assisting with needs within the teams. In 2005 they were inducted into the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame. They also provided a private airplane for university use and eventually gifted both the airplane and hanger to UCM. When the James C. Kirkpatrick Library was being built, they provided a major gift. In 2006
both Adrian and Margaret were selected by the Beta Gamma Sigma Board of Governors as Chapter Honoree for exemplifying the Chapter’s ideals of honor, wisdom, and earnestness. The Harmons belong to the Presidents Society for UCM and several other clubs and organizations on campus and in Warrensburg.
The Harmons are extremely interested and supportive of high achieving students. In 2003 Margaret Harmon established an endowed scholarship, the Peg Seifner Mathematics Scholarship, at Morgan County R-1, Stover High School in Stover, MO. The scholarship honors a long-time educator, Peg Seifner, for dedication, inspiration, and preparation in the classroom for outstanding students to excel and be successful in life’s journey.
Our condolences to the Harmon family and friends. Mrs. Harmon was a great citizen to the community and will be missed but not forgotten. Warrensburg Class of 1973
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