Eugene Edward Harmon, Jr.

Eugene Harmon - Eulogy

In the early 1970's, a new man entered the life of our Mom, Ingrid, and her two kids. His name was Eugene Harmon and on May 2, 1975, he married our mother, his "Flower" and we had a new dad.
He was a kind hearted man that took in two step children and raised them like they were his very own. He stood by Ingrid for almost 40 years until her death earlier this year. He then continued to stand by his step children for the remainder of his life. We, in turn, stood by him through his life, both good and bad. We took care of him when he found out he had prostate cancer, pneumonia, a heart attack, the passing of his "Flower" and ultimately his passing. He knew he could count on us to be there for him. He was a grandfather and great father and at times a father figure to his grandson, Ethan, and Godparent with Ingrid to Michelle. We never thought of him as a Step-Dad. To us, he was just Dad. We loved him no less than our biological father. It is not a biological component that makes a man a good father. It is the care and love he shows toward children that makes a man a good Dad and the love he got in return.
Dad was a great softball player. He played first base for many intramural leagues while he was in the Air Force, both stateside and in Germany from 1976-1979. He knew how to hit a home run and so pitchers were very wary of him and thus, he got a fair number of walks. We got to watch him play many games and it was always an enjoyable experience. He loved to play cards with his friends and just hang out at home. He also loved cars and shared that love by opening an auto repair shop. He got the opportunity to purchase a dream car which he and Ethan went shopping for. He was so proud of that car.
Dad was a man of few words and wasn't much for a bunch of fanfare. His career in the Air Force was a long fruitful one filled with many certificates and awards. He gladly accepted the awards, though he did not make a big deal about them. He proudly displayed them in his Man Cave in his house. He was a business man and ran his business as if his employees were his family. He was most comfortable at home and did not like to travel much but this past summer he went to visit his biological daughters. We knew he loved them as he loved his step-children.
His broken heart is now mended because he is with his love in a place where there is no pain and stresses of life to deal with. We will always remember our dad and the love we have for him and him for us. He will be missed by all very much.
We will see you Mom and Dad when the good Lord deems our time to be up in this world.
We Love you.

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