Star Beacon
ANDOVER —
Charles Thomas Harmon, age 89, passed away on Sunday, August 29, 2010, in Andover, Ohio.
He was born on Oct. 28, 1920, in Warren, Ohio, the son of Verla (Jewell) and Charles Edgar Harmon. Because of the travel involved in his father's job, he was never able to complete a school year in the same place. On June 14, 1940, he married Margaret E. Burt. He often stated that "marrying her is the best thing I ever did". Tom served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 until 1946. He completed electronics school in Ames, Iowa, and then served in Africa, Italy and Sicily.
Upon his discharge, Tom returned to Andover where he was the janitor for the school. Later he became the service man for the Andover Hardware Store. In the 1950's, he was hired by Electric Products Company in Cleveland, Ohio, in the service department. He traveled for the company installing generators for major pumping stations. When he retired in 1982, he was in charge of engineering sales, parts, service and quality control.
Tom had a passion for traveling, he always wanted to know what was over the next hill. He took his family camping, then trailering and eventually motorhoming his way across the country while instilling this passion in his family and friends.
Tom was known as the fix-it-man and spent time fixing things for anyone who asked for his help. He was a volunteer fireman for the Andover Volunteer Fire Department. He was elected to Andover Village Council in 1980 and served for twenty-eight years, including eight years as Andover's Mayor. Tom enjoyed fishing and woodcarving, making wooden toy trains and trucks. He leaves many happy memories with all who loved him.
Survivors include his wife of seventy years, Margaret E. (Burt) Harmon of Andover, Ohio; a daughter, Jo Anne (Gordon) Tressler of Dorset, Ohio; two sons, Carlyn D. (Marie) Harmon of Andover, Ohio, and William E. (Faye) Harmon of Tappahannock, Va.; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Betty Mae Poloquin and Beverly Hapke; one granddaughter, Anita Kolb; and one great-granddaughter, Alicia Kolb.
A Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2nd, at BAUMGARDNER FUNERAL HOME, 134 Prospect St., Andover, Ohio. Burial will follow in Dorset Cemetery.
Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 1st, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004.
Obituary and guestbook available at www.baumgardnerfuneralhome.com and starbeacon.com
