Jesse Carlton Harmon “Corky” March 18, 1928- May 3, 2017.Car.
After a brief illness with fluid on his lungs, Corky went to heaven by way of Mid Jefferson County Hospital – Nederland. He, with family in attendance, went peacefully to heaven at 4:15 am.
Visitation will be Friday, May 19th, 2017 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 20th, at 11:00 am. also at Claybar.
Officiating: Father Joseph Daleo of St. Mary Catholic Church.
The Harmon Family has a rich history in the Orange area, their ancestors having arrived in 1827. From that beginning the name Harmon has been synonymous with growth and development as well as volunteerism. Being in business for over 150 years, starting with saddles, horse and buggy, suppliers, and electric cars. With brothers, Corky, Jackie and Don, Harmon Chevrolet continued in transportation for 45 years. Currently Harmon/Oliver Per-Owned Cars with partners Glenn and Martha Oliver, and Donnie and Rhonda Harmon has been a family tradition of pursing transportation.
Corky was a gentle man, kind, generous, brilliant in business, loving family man, and a legend in the automobile industry. One of those larger than life individuals whose qualities and character cannot be adequately portrayed in speech or the written word; a person who has dedicated his life to employees, customers, friends and family, and in his humble way touched our lives and made us better for having known him. He saw the best in everyone and demanded the best of himself. He accomplished the American dream on an 11th grade education and allowed us to be a part of that dream.
He was a charter member of the Orange Ambassadors. Other achievements to include the committee to successfully locate Inland Orange, served as President of the Orange Chamber of Commerce, President of Rotary Club of Orange, Co-Chairman of the Salvation Army and YMCA building fund, he handled real estate sales for family owned businesses.
Corky enjoyed all the community work and his family. His greatest volunteer accomplishment was tirelessly pursuing the growth and development of Lamar State College campus, downtown Orange by negotiating over 30 real estate transactions that added to the footprint of the campus. In the process he used a variety of strategies that included outright purchase of property leads as well as gift solicitations. Under Harmon’s leadership the foundation has grown from very modest beginnings to an organization with 5 million dollars in assists. On August 25th, 2016, he was honored with a lecture hall in his name at the “Nursing and Classroom Building”.
Born in Orange, Texas, March 18th, 1928, was the son of Ovie Harmon Jr., and Rosalie Armstrong Harmon.
Family includes his loving wife of 60 plus years, Elizabeth (Betty) Bourque Harmon of Laccassine, Louisiana.
Corky had five siblings, Jackie (deceased) and Jerry Nell (deceased), Donald (deceased) and Dorothy (deceased), Janie and Leonard (deceased) Holton, Tommy and Barbara Harmon, Cynthia and Howard Fisher, and Brother-in-Law, Pat Rowe.
Son and Daughter-in-Law David and Debby Jo, Grandchildren, Jennifer and CJ Nichols, and Misty V. Hester. Great Grandchildren, Maggie Mae and Georgia Claire.
Son, Jim, Grandchildren, Chelsi Jones and Kelli Harmon. Great Grand Children Riley, Rigby, and Hazin.
Daughter and Son in Law, Debora and Joe Lanciaux, Grand Children, Nathan and Angela Lanciaux, Monica and Ben Collins, and Dominic Lanciaux.
Son, Chad (deceased) Grand Children Sheena, Gregory, Joshua, and Jonathon Harmon. Great Grand Children, Triston, Zayden, and Landen.
To our caregivers, we extend love and thanks for your dedication, Geraldine Beasley and Sharon Walters. You both made him laugh when he needed it the most. Thank you!
The strength he showed and his love for family is something that they will never forget.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Corky’s honor to Lamar State College Foundation, P.O. Box 2516, Orange, TX 77631 or St. Mary’s Catholic Church Foundation, 912 W. Cherry Ave., Orange, TX 77630.
Condolences
Gregory Anderson
December 30, 2017
"Corky Harmon" gave me my first job in producing voice overs as a teenager. I will never forget that day as a young man with a breakdance group called "The Nuclear Rockers" when we ambitiously walked into Harmon Chevrolet Car Dealership located in Orange, Texas wanting to produce a commercial for the #1 auto dealer. The staff at the time who was responsible for the advertising said: "You have to see Carlton Harmon and everyone around here calls him "Corky". We waited and had a chance to meet with him and from what I recall he was a very kind, assertive yet a powerful man who listened to our spill and or sales pitch. Keeping in mind he was a salesman too! After hearing what we were offering Mr. Harmon said "I tell you what If you write me a jingle or a commercial spot come back let me hear it, if I like it then I'm gonna pay you for it. So The Nuclear Rockers went away excited to write a :30 second spot. Well when we returned he heard what we produced and cut a check for the spot and that would be one of several advertising spots I would later go on to create for Harmon Cheverlots and hundreds of others. One other memorable moment that I will never forget is when he loaned me a car for my senior prom date an entire weekend. He was super generous and a man who would share stories, scenarios and knowledge. He was very much a mentor and let's say much of what he shared with me has jumped into me because I have launched "Miles Away Mentoring" and Texas Anger Managers both organizations rooted in helping make our world a greater place. I am at a loss for words but will always celebrate the impact "Corky" has had in my life as a talk show host, voice talent, author and certified anger management facilitator. A man you couldn't help but love and treasure all the way to the end. A great man whom I salute and will never forget all the days of my life. #BigSalute www.TexasAngerManagers.com www.GregSpeaksLive.com ~Gregory D. Anderson Jr
Martha Nelson
May 6, 2017
Martha Nelson lit a candle in memory of Carlton "Corky" Harmon
Al Wingate
May 5, 2017
Condolences to Betty, Jimmy and David. He had a profound impact on my life.
Rosemary
May 5, 2017
Saddened to hear that "Corky" has passed. Our community has lost the finest man. My deepest sympathy during this most difficult time. Rosemary
Jim Sichko
May 4, 2017
On behalf of the Sichko Family, we send our prayers, condolence and sympathy. Please know of our thoughts during this time.
Nathan Merritt
May 4, 2017
My deepest heartfelt condolences to all the family, friends, and loved ones of Corky. About the best boss I ever worked for, he'd tell people he never knew when I'd be at work cause I loved to fish and hunt more than work. I pray God gives each of you strength and comfort at this time and all the days ahead.