Darrell "Bud" Ray Harmon

Darrell Ray “Bud” Harmon- beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away at home, peacefully surrounded by loved ones on July 14, 2023 after a battle with Alzheimers/Dementia at the age of 89.

Bud was born to Leona Fay Teague and David Reeves Harmon on March 11, 1934 in Mexia, Texas. He attended Brownwood High School where he was a ‘yell leader’. He attended Sam Houston State University while working at Hugh’s Tool Company to “make ends meet”. But he made good friends during this time of life, like his dear friend and soon to be brother-in-law, BJ Collins, who later married his sister, Naomi Harmon.

Buddy’s father, Reeves Harmon, was an Evangelist, and as a young family they traveled all over Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma, putting on impactful “brush arbor revivals”. They also pioneered several churches that are still in existence today. His mother Leona, bought a guitar and an accordion from the Sears and Roebuck Catalogue and taught herself to play so that she, along with her 3 children, Mary, Buddy, and Naomi could sing and accompany themselves at the revivals.

This is where Bud’s great love of music began. Like his mother, he taught himself to play guitar by watching and mimicking other guitar players. His playing style was somewhat based on the Chet Atkin’s style. Bud had a unique style of playing and would play and sing anytime anyone asked. He loved to sing and had neither shyness nor ego about it. He sang mostly in churches where he joined several different quartet groups, singing and playing guitar as well as stand up bass.

At one special church, Glad Tidings Assembly of God, he met a girl named Nancy Pearl Benge who was playing piano for a trio. The two fell in love and were married on May 9, 1958. They both had a love for music and would host jam sessions with friends from church.

Another favorite past time was golfing. He loved to play golf any chance he got. Many good memories were made golfing with his son, Rocky, and lifelong friend, Vic Smith. Bud and Rocky would go on to spend many funny and special hours on the golf course together. They also took up running when Bud was 52, they ran countless miles at Memorial Park. Tammy also got many lessons from her dad at the driving range in his later years.

Bud and Nancy were blessed to have two children, Rocky Harmon(wife, Maggie), Tammy Michaelis (husband, Kirk); 6 grandchildren, Blake Harmon (wife, Abby), Brittany Patton, Meagan Brandt( husband, Colby), Mallory Michaelis, Madeline Haney(husband, Dustin) Kelly Von Ogden; 5 great grand-children, Skylar, Madison, Trax, Wyatt, and Tex. Poppy loved all of his children, grandchildren and great grand babies.

Bud was an entrepreneur and loved to work. Over the years he would tell stories of riding to work on horseback as a young boy to pick cotton and bail hay. One day, to our surprise he told of driving 18 wheelers for a while. He had many jobs and many business ventures throughout his lifetime. In the 1960’s, he opened his own insurance company, which he owned until the mid 80’s. During this time he and his brother-in-law, A.J. Schlapkohl, bought 2 Shipley Donut shops. He also partnered with son-in-law, Kirk, in the iconic Houston store, El Bolillo Bakery. He was dearly loved and admired by employees, clients, and business associates alike.

Bud had an easy going personality and sense of humor about most things. His big smile, his genuine kindness, and those bright, baby blue eyes will be remembered by all that knew him. We imagine there must have been a special guitar and a huge jam session with family and friends in Heaven when he arrived.

In his last few weeks before he passed we were all astounded when he said a few words… “Hallelujah, Redeeming Savior, and Jesus is coming.” He must have been experiencing something ‘Heaven-sent’. As some of you may know, he suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease, forming sentences or phrases was very difficult, but these words were very clear.