Tommy Jay Harmon
February 21, 1932 ~ April 20, 2024 (age 92) 92 Years Old
Tribute
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Tommy Jay Harmon, cherished husband of Delphina Harmon, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and decorated veteran of the United States Army, passed away on April 20th, 2024, at the age of 92, in Hagerstown, Maryland, due to complications of Parkinson's Disease. Tommy's gentle spirit and loving nature touched the lives of all who knew him, and his memory will be treasured forever.
Born in the small town of Driftwood, Oklahoma, Tommy grew up with a sense of duty and passion for service that would define his life. He was the son of Howard Emmanuel and Wanda Mae Harmon, and the brother of Barbara Joyce Hollingsworth. Tommy's journey led him to Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University), where he completed his B.S. in Industrial Arts Education, and entered the US Army through the ROTC program as a Second Lieutenant.
While stationed in Mainz, Germany, in 1957, Tommy's life took a romantic turn when he met Delphina Julia Oliverio, from Pawcatuck Connecticut, who was working for the US Army Recreation Services. The couple married the following year at Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Pawcatuck, Connecticut. Their marriage was a testament to love and partnership for over 65 years and filled with adventures across the globe.
Tommy's military career spanned 24 years, during which he served with distinction in the Army Ordnance Corp. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and served as Commanding Officer of the 101st Ordnance Battalion in Heilbronn, Germany. His service included a tour in the Vietnam War and various duty stations around the world and the United States, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to his country. His commitment to education continued, earning an MBA from George Washington University, as well as attending other military schools including the Armed Forces Staff College.
Upon retiring from his military career, Tommy embarked on a second career as an industrial arts & drafting high school teacher in the Fairfax County, Virginia school system where he enjoyed working with the high school students to pass along his many skills. Tommy and Delphina's shared love for travel took them to every continent, including Antarctica, and often was accompanied by their wide circle of friends, relatives, and students. Tommy and Delphina loved cruises, both river and ocean, with friends and family. The entire family remembers celebrating their wedding anniversaries with a 40th Anniversary Cruise in the Caribbean, and a 50th Anniversary Cruise to Alaska.
Tommy's legacy includes his children, Nancy Julia Deutsch and her husband Jon, Mary Jean Heizer and her husband John, Thomas Jay Harmon, and his fiancée LeAnn Holgate, his six grandchildren, Jenna and Hayley Deutsch, Patrick and his wife Alison Heizer, and their one-year old daughter, Valentine Ann, Shane Heizer, Ethan and Walker Harmon. They will carry forward the lessons and love he imparted. Tommy's role as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather extended beyond his immediate family, as he generously shared his skills in woodworking and carpentry, renovating and improving his various homes, his children's homes and teaching his children and grandchildren the value and skills of handiwork and carpentry. Tommy was active in his church including the Knights of Columbus.
Tommy was a man of many virtues, best described as gentle, loving, and handy. His kindness was evident in his everyday actions, whether he was building furniture, sharing his knowledge of tools, or celebrating special occasions with his family. The most cherished memories for Tommy were those spent surrounded by his loved ones during anniversaries or holidays, where his compassionate presence was a gift to all. Tommy also enjoyed spending time with family and friends while living in Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Florida.
Tommy was a man who exemplified the values of service, honor, family, and community. His gentle and loving nature, combined with his woodworking skills and dedication, made him a role model to many. We say farewell and take comfort in knowing that his spirit will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have known him. Lieutenant Colonel Tommy Harmon's memory will live on as a beacon of caring and kindness, reminding us of the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of many. Tommy Harmon will be profoundly missed, but his legacy as an officer and a gentleman, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, and friend, will endure through generations.
The family will receive visitors at the Buckler-Johnston funeral home, 121 Main Street, Westerly, RI on Sunday, April 28, 2024, from 4-6pm.
Services will be held at St. Michael's Church, 63 Liberty Street, Pawcatuck, CT on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 10am with a graveside service immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in honor of Tommy Harmon, to
·The Church of St. Michael the Archangel, 60 Liberty St, Pawcatuck, CT 06379, or
·Doey’s House, Hospice of Washington County, MD, 11370 Caring Pathway Ln, Hagerstown, MD 21742, or
·The Disabled American Veterans, www.DAV.org
Born in the small town of Driftwood, Oklahoma, Tommy grew up with a sense of duty and passion for service that would define his life. He was the son of Howard Emmanuel and Wanda Mae Harmon, and the brother of Barbara Joyce Hollingsworth. Tommy's journey led him to Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University), where he completed his B.S. in Industrial Arts Education, and entered the US Army through the ROTC program as a Second Lieutenant.
While stationed in Mainz, Germany, in 1957, Tommy's life took a romantic turn when he met Delphina Julia Oliverio, from Pawcatuck Connecticut, who was working for the US Army Recreation Services. The couple married the following year at Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Pawcatuck, Connecticut. Their marriage was a testament to love and partnership for over 65 years and filled with adventures across the globe.
Tommy's military career spanned 24 years, during which he served with distinction in the Army Ordnance Corp. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and served as Commanding Officer of the 101st Ordnance Battalion in Heilbronn, Germany. His service included a tour in the Vietnam War and various duty stations around the world and the United States, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to his country. His commitment to education continued, earning an MBA from George Washington University, as well as attending other military schools including the Armed Forces Staff College.
Upon retiring from his military career, Tommy embarked on a second career as an industrial arts & drafting high school teacher in the Fairfax County, Virginia school system where he enjoyed working with the high school students to pass along his many skills. Tommy and Delphina's shared love for travel took them to every continent, including Antarctica, and often was accompanied by their wide circle of friends, relatives, and students. Tommy and Delphina loved cruises, both river and ocean, with friends and family. The entire family remembers celebrating their wedding anniversaries with a 40th Anniversary Cruise in the Caribbean, and a 50th Anniversary Cruise to Alaska.
Tommy's legacy includes his children, Nancy Julia Deutsch and her husband Jon, Mary Jean Heizer and her husband John, Thomas Jay Harmon, and his fiancée LeAnn Holgate, his six grandchildren, Jenna and Hayley Deutsch, Patrick and his wife Alison Heizer, and their one-year old daughter, Valentine Ann, Shane Heizer, Ethan and Walker Harmon. They will carry forward the lessons and love he imparted. Tommy's role as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather extended beyond his immediate family, as he generously shared his skills in woodworking and carpentry, renovating and improving his various homes, his children's homes and teaching his children and grandchildren the value and skills of handiwork and carpentry. Tommy was active in his church including the Knights of Columbus.
Tommy was a man of many virtues, best described as gentle, loving, and handy. His kindness was evident in his everyday actions, whether he was building furniture, sharing his knowledge of tools, or celebrating special occasions with his family. The most cherished memories for Tommy were those spent surrounded by his loved ones during anniversaries or holidays, where his compassionate presence was a gift to all. Tommy also enjoyed spending time with family and friends while living in Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Florida.
Tommy was a man who exemplified the values of service, honor, family, and community. His gentle and loving nature, combined with his woodworking skills and dedication, made him a role model to many. We say farewell and take comfort in knowing that his spirit will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have known him. Lieutenant Colonel Tommy Harmon's memory will live on as a beacon of caring and kindness, reminding us of the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of many. Tommy Harmon will be profoundly missed, but his legacy as an officer and a gentleman, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, and friend, will endure through generations.
The family will receive visitors at the Buckler-Johnston funeral home, 121 Main Street, Westerly, RI on Sunday, April 28, 2024, from 4-6pm.
Services will be held at St. Michael's Church, 63 Liberty Street, Pawcatuck, CT on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 10am with a graveside service immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in honor of Tommy Harmon, to
·The Church of St. Michael the Archangel, 60 Liberty St, Pawcatuck, CT 06379, or
·Doey’s House, Hospice of Washington County, MD, 11370 Caring Pathway Ln, Hagerstown, MD 21742, or
·The Disabled American Veterans, www.DAV.org
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