Obituary of Lester Harmon

Lester Vinton Harmon Mr. Harmon, 91, of Charlotte, died at home on Saturday, May 22, 2010, after an extended illness. Lester was born in Woodlawn, VA, on October 9, 1918, son of the late Posie Vinton and Clora Carroll Harmon. He grew up on the family farm and worked one year with the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression. Following his graduation from Emory & Henry College with a Bachelor of Arts, Lester enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served with distinction in the South Pacific in World War II as a Lieutenant JG on the USS Chester, a heavy cruiser which supported the assault on Iwo Jima. On his return to civilian life, he continued his education on the GI bill, obtaining a masters degree at Peabody College. After teaching school, he enrolled in Vanderbilt Law School, graduating in 1952. Lester had a lengthy career as a lawyer and business executive, serving as the vice president of claims for the South Central region of State Farm Insurance Company for a number of years in Murfreesboro, TN. After retiring from State Farm, he engaged in the private practice of law in Murfreesboro until the age of 80. He was also an adjunct professor at Middle Tennessee State University. He was also the Director of the Tennessee Guaranty Association for several years, and a respected resource on insurance issues before the Kentucky and Tennessee legislatures. Lester will be remembered as a devoted and affectionate husband and father and enthusiastic grandparent. He loved travelling with Peggy, tennis, golf, and hiking in the Great Smokies with his family. Finally, he was remarkably steadfast in the face of adversity: ?In the fell clutch of circumstance, he did not wince nor cry aloud.? He was a long-term and faithful member of the Murfreesboro Rotary Club. He and Peggy moved in 2000 to Charlotte where they were members of First Presbyterian Church and were active in the Chapel Bible Class. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Peggy Brugge Harmon, of Charlotte, N.C., two daughters, Emily Harmon Phillips and husband Randel E. Phillips, of Charlotte, NC and Dorothy Alice Harmon Hooper and her husband Jerry W. Hooper of Nashville, TN; five grandchildren, Dr. Allison Denise Phillips and husband Walter T. Partain, of Knoxville, TN, Catherine A. Phillips and her husband, Hollis D. Phelps IV, of New Orleans, LA; Abigail Harmon Phillips, of Chapel Hill, NC, John G. Chinery and his wife, Annely Richardson, of Groton, CT, and Leslie Erin Chinery, of Washington, DC; two great-grandchildren, Alden Hollis Phelps, of New Orleans, LA, and Jordan Emily Partain, of Knoxville, TN; his brother Gerald and three sisters, Lavila, Shirley, and Sandra. A service in celebration of Lester?s life will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 200 West Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Weekday School or the children?s ministries at First Presbyterian Church.