Lester Harmon
Lester Burton Harmon, firstborn son of Fred and Marie (Davison) Harmon, was born on the Harmon family ranch southwest of Champion, Nebraska, on March 30, 1930. Lester died Thursday night, Oct. 27, 2022, at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial, Nebraska. He was 92 years of age.
He attended one-room schools until traveling to Imperial to high school, where he graduated from Chase County High School in 1947. Lester assisted in the farming operation, and was a Sunday school teacher and an avid water sports fan until 1951, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army.
Lester served in the Korean conflict until returning home in 1953. After returning home, he met Ruth Hill at a softball game at the local Wagon Wheel Ball Park, and they married in 1955. To this union two sons were born: Skipper and Carl.
Lester served as the postmaster in Lamar, Nebraska, before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska, to attend college. He later became a well driller for Layne Western Well Drilling based in Omaha, Nebraska. He traveled to many states and several countries while drilling water wells. He returned to Champion in 1972 to help his parents with the farming and hog operation. He married Annie Wilson and adopted her young daughter, Larissa.
After retiring from farming, he met and married Suzann Harper. He spent many happy hours fishing and boating at Enders Lake. He also enjoyed his time at the coffee shop, recalling the big fish caught and the ones that got away. Lester was a member and past post commander of Zeiler Owens Lindsay VFW Post No. 6482 of Holyoke.
Survivors include his sons, Skipper Harmon and companion Jody of Highlands Ranch and Carl Harmon and wife Jan of Washington City, Utah; four grandchildren, Dallas, Spencer, Heather and Austin; sister, Bonnie Smith of Holyoke; many nieces and nephews, who remember him as the best uncle you could ever ask for; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Larissa; infant sister; and brothers, Raymond and Gene.
Graveside services with full military honors were held Nov. 8 at the Pleasant View (Crete) Cemetery in Champion, with Rev. JR Kline officiating.
A memorial in Lester’s memory has been suggested to the Harmon family for a future designation.
Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com.
Liewer Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.