Richard B. Harmon, 92, a native of Mesa who never left, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2021. He enjoyed a long and happy life filled with family, friends and numerous activities, both in the outdoors (hunting, camping, four-wheeling, flying and driving around the country) and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was born on January 6, 1929 and graduated from Mesa High School in 1946. Upon graduation he followed his father into the Movie Projectionist field, where he spent the next 35 years running the movie projectors at the Mesa, Nile, Azteca, Bethany West and University Twin Theaters as well as the Pioneer Drive-in. In 1980 he changed careers and spent the next 14 years as the Facilities Manager at Rhodes Junior High in Mesa until he retired in 1994. Then, along with his wife Dorothy, brother Eddie and his wife Kay, the Harmons enjoyed driving to and visiting every state in the union except Hawaii, including three drives to Alaska.
In 1950 he married Dorothy Joy Taylor of Safford, AZ and they spent the next 67 years together before her passing in 2017. They were the proud parents of two children- son Richard B. Harmon, Jr (Sherry Kanaga) of Mesa and daughter Jacquelynn Jean Stewart (Dawson), also of Mesa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Borden Ruke Harmon and Verna Rhea Menhennet Harmon, as well as all four of his siblings- Marjorie, Jeannette, Edward and John Pat. He is survived by both of his children, 10 grandchildren- Tawna Lynn Mower (Nathan) of Mesa, Taya Lee Goodwin of San Tan Valley, Ali Miquel Lawson (Jeremy) of Queen Creek, Summer Joy Armstrong of Mesa, Richard B. Harmon III (Stacie) of Gilbert, Spencer W. Stewart (Jenifer) of Queen Creek, Tanner J. Stewart (Mandy) of Queen Creek, Jade Vernae Jarvis (Jeff) of Pima, Robert S. Harmon of Mesa, and Steffani Dawn Chamberlain (Dennis) of Queen Creek; 35 great-grandchildren- Faith and Chance Mower; Kaitlin Solari; Daron, Lauren and Emyrson Goodwin; Madison Phelps; Jordyn, Taylor and Rylee Talerico; Megan Medina, Austin, Rylan and Carson Harmon; Jaxon, Ryker and Aden Jarvis; Jake (Bailey), Caleb, Noah and Zach Lawson; Wyatt, Paydon, Kyler and Jaycee Stewart; Grandon, Braden and Tyson Stewart; and Chloe, Kaci, Cami, Kaylie, Kenzie, Kelsey and Kinley Chamberlain; and one great-great-granddaughter- Sophia Solari.
A Viewing will be held from 6 – 8 pm this Friday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Stake Center at 1010 S. Recker Rd in Gilbert. Funeral Services will be held at 9 am this Saturday, June 19th, at the same building. Interment will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery.
Dear Richard, Sherry and Jacque – I am soooo bummed that I missed this obituary and attending Richard’s services last week. Your Dad was one of my favorite people. He and your mom were such good friends back in the 60’s and 70’s when we were in 17th Ward together. What good times we had then with our young families! And eventually we all migrated to Gilbert, and were in the same Stake for many years. Your Dad never greeted us without the most genuine smile and warm hand shake. Seeing Richard and Dorothy Harmon anytime was always an uplifting experience. He was always genuinely interested in our family and what was going on. I’m disappointed to say that as long and as well as I knew your Dad, I never knew that he was a projectionist for the Nile, Mesa and Pioneer movies theaters. For just a few years, my father owned a theater, the Times Theater, directly across the street from the Mesa Theater on So. Macdonald St. Be that as it may, please know how much we loved your Dad and will sorely miss him! Our love to each of you. — Stephen and Carolei
Dear Richard and Jacque.
I’m so very sorry to have just seen this about your dear Father.
He was such a dear friend of my parents and a wonderful friend to my family as well. A favorite Home Teacher and visitors along with your sweet Mom. I (we) loved them both so very much.
Sincere condolences to each of you and your families.
Bittersweet times but happy to know those dear sweethearts are together again.
Much love and wonderful memories Terri Hall
I am sorry I missed Richard’s obituary. He has been a really good friend since we were seniors at Mesa High. I was always happy to see him in the Temple. Cora
Please accept my belated condolences. I only found out about Richard’s passing away after the fact. I did speak with him on the phone sometime in May. I told him about a mission that my wife Arlene and I were called on to serve at Fort Huachuca. I have any memories of Dorothy and Richard. I felt close to both of them. I remember when Richard and I went on a hunting trip in Southeastern AZ in 1992. He was an avid outdoorsman. He will be missed but his memory lives on.
My condolences to the Harmon family. I have many memories of Richard and Dorothy. He will be missed.