James E. Harmon

James E. (“Jim”) Harmon, Sr. of Birmingham passed away peacefully on February 19, 2022 at the age of 85. He was born in Elmore, Alabama to Edward and Bernice Harmon in 1936 and grew up in Elmore and nearby Tallassee. Upon reaching ninth grade, his Aunt Mary recognized his quality singing voice and convinced him to attend high school in her hometown of Albion, New York. That would allow him to attend voice classes at the Eastman School of Music in nearby Rochester. Jim’s voice education would lead to his lifetime love of music, especially Broadway musicals, opera and symphony orchestras. At Albion High School he excelled in athletics, playing quarterback for the football team and pitching in baseball. He also loved the theatre and performed in several school musicals. Following high school, Jim attended the University of Alabama, majoring in journalism and graduating in 1958. It was there that he met his future wife, Vivien Lutz. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in December 2021. While at the University, Jim was a member of Alpha Tau Omega, where he solidified lifelong friendships and was known by all as the best singer in the fraternity. His journalism background launched his love for writing, especially poetry, songwriting (including a college fight song), puns and jokes.

Following college, Jim had a successful 35-year career with the General Electric Company in human resources, living in several GE locations around the country. One of Jim and Vivien’s favorite GE towns was Decatur, Alabama, where he served as Manager for Employee and Public Relations for GE’s 1,600-employee refrigerator plant. Jim had a compelling personality, and if you ever had the privilege of walking the plant floor with him, you would recognize that he knew every employee by name. In 1979, Jim was promoted to the corporate headquarters of GE in Fairfield, Connecticut, serving as Manager of Nonunion Employee Relations for the company. He retired from GE in 1996, although he consulted with the company for another ten years. Jim rarely turned down an opportunity for community service. While in Decatur, he served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and Chaired the 1977 Morgan County United Way Capital Campaign. Following retirement from GE in 1996, Jim and Vivien moved to the Lakewood Golf Course in Point Clear, Alabama, where Jim could focus his retirement years on his favorite pastime—golf. At age 79, he shot his age in golf. Jim and Vivien moved to Birmingham in 2021.

Jim was a man of faith and family, and nothing was more important to him. He was a long-time member of the Episcopal church and sang in the choir in every town he lived during his highly mobile career. He was a loving father, teaching his two sons many lessons, not the least of which was being a good father and loving husband, the importance and joys of the game of golf, the love of music, and the significance of an Alabama football game. His carol singing and storytelling at the Christmas dinner table were legendary, and everyone in the neighborhood was welcome. Jim spent some of his happiest years in retirement, when he was able to spend time with his six grandchildren. He started a tradition at family vacations and holiday gatherings called “Granddaddy’s Hour,” where Jim would weave pearls of wisdom and initiate enriching discussions among the children.

Jim is predeceased by his parents and by his brother, Samuel Dale Harmon. He is survived by his wife, Vivien, sons Jim Harmon, Jr. (Betsy) and Chris Harmon (Helen), both of Birmingham, six grandchildren: Hartson Harmon, Stuart Harmon, Sam Harmon, Eliza Harmon Bicksler (Jake), Cate Harmon, and Christopher Harmon, Jr., and one niece, Julie Wylie of Atlanta, GA.

A memorial service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Mountain Brook, Alabama on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at 2:00 pm, with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to St. Francis at the Point Church, 17280 Scenic Highway 98, Point Clear, Alabama 36564.