Mary Kathryn Kopecek Harmon

Affectionately known as “Kathy”, Mary Kathryn Kopecek Harmon was born on November 8, 1932 in Mangum, Oklahoma, to Emil Frank “Loyd” and Annie Polaski Kopecek, the same day Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States, a historical fact she often recited. She died on March 22, 2016 at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, in Grapevine, Texas surrounded by family. Kathy grew up in Willow, Oklahoma and graduated from Ocina High School. On June 20, 1952 she married her high school sweetheart, Jerrol D. Harmon, in Willow, Oklahoma. They were married for 52 years and their marriage was blessed with two children. Kathy and Jerrol enjoyed a vibrant life together with frequent travel and many wonderful friends.

Kathy was a homemaker, and loved caring for her family and others. She was also a registered nurse, working mostly in hospital settings. She spent many years at Duncan Regional Hospital in the recovery room, always offering a kind word of comfort to those she attended.

Kathy was known and loved for her meek, quiet, loving personality. She was known for her wonderful cooking, especially cinnamon rolls that she delivered to people on Wednesdays, and her Thanksgiving dressing, a recipe she learned and perfected from her mother. She was an immaculate housekeeper, gracious hostess and always had the most beautiful lawn on the block.

She was a lifelong member of the Churches of Christ, most recently at Riverside Church of Christ in Coppell, Texas, where she had moved six years ago to be near her daughter due to health challenges. Most of Kathy’s life was spent in Duncan, Oklahoma, where she was a member of the Eastside Church of Christ. She was a prayer warrior and read her Bible daily. This was witnessed many times by her children in the wee hours of the morning and late at night. Her deep abiding in the Word of God gave her the strength and courage to faithfully live her later years.

Kathy will be dearly missed by all who were privileged to know her and be loved by her. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Ann Harmon Pauley and husband John of Coppell, Texas; her son Joel Warren Harmon and wife Roxanne of Edmond, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Andrew Harmon Pauley and wife Brittany of Houston, Texas; Kate Moran Pauley Edwards and husband Nick of Los Angeles, California; and great-granddaughter, Vera Anne Pauley. Kathy was also blessed with two step-grandchildren and their children: Ryan Conerly and wife Jamie of Edmond, Oklahoma (children Kailyn and Ethan); Chance Conerly and wife Rehan of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (son Gideon). Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Herman Kopecek, and her beloved husband.

A service of remembrance and celebration will be held Friday, March 25 at 10:00 am at Rolling Oaks Funeral Home in Coppell, Texas with Jason Graves officiating. A reception with the family will follow. Interment will be Saturday, March 26 at 2:00 pm at the Willow Cemetery in Willow, Oklahoma with Ron Stough officiating.