A Gift from God

Gene S. Harmon, affectionately known as “Granbear”, was born June 1, 1940, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the only child of Dale and Manon Harmon. Although he battled problems with health and disability all his life, he never let those things keep him from striving to do his best. He tried his hand at many different occupations over the years, often joking that he was “a jack of all trades, and a master of none.” He was ordained into the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1961, and served several churches as pastor or minister of music. He brought his family to Alleluia Community in 1976 and has been a Full Covenant member since 1977. Some of his other occupations included photographer, print shop, emergency medical technician, restaurant manager, public relations, advertising, newspaper reporter, salesman, maintenance man for Faith Village, graphic designer, and finally Communications Director for Alleluia. He was a man of many talents who was never afraid to try something new. He loved the challenge of learning a new skill.

Gene took great pride in his five sons and their families. His great source of comfort and satisfaction in his last days was to see how well his sons were taking care of their mother. Being “Granbear” to his grandchildren also gave him tremendous joy.

Gene was well-known for his sense of humor, catching us off-guard with it even when he was very sick. He loved to tell (or pull off) a good joke.

He became an avid teddy bear collector later in life. He had always loved Teddy bears, but it wasn’t until his 50’s that he decided he was old enough to be eccentric. He collected over 100 assorted bears, including his beloved “Richie Bear” who was his constant companion, especially during painful days and hospital stays. At the family’s request, Richie will be buried beside him.

Second only to his love for the Lord and his family, Gene loved being part of the Alleluia Community. He saw his life in Alleluia as truly living out his early commitment to full-time Christian service. He loved working for Alleluia: editing and publishing the weekly Dove, the testimony book, brochures and several of our Formations teaching books.

He showed us a new definition of strength: He was never able to get out and play manly sports with his boys, but he was always there for them. He demonstrated an indomitable spirit–persevering through tremendous pain for the majority of his adult life. During the past several years, he had numerous close calls with death where the doctors held little or no hope of recovery. Through prayers of those he held dear and his stubborn will, God continued to bless us with his life.

As his health and stamina declined, Gene never lost his Focus on Jesus and the prize that awaited him. He was able to not only make peace with his sons, but he was their great friend. His comfort was in knowing that his wonderful wife, Patty, would be taken care of by his children and his extended family of Alleluia.

We rejoice in our grief that his race is won and Gene Harmon now has the prize he gave his life attaining. Our loss is Heaven’s great gain.

We love you Granbear!

Family

Patty Sue Harmon, wife

Robert Dean and Lisa Harmon, son and daughter-in-law
James Dale Harmon, son
Michael Jeffrey Harmon, son
Brian Elliott and Leslie Harmon, son and daughter-in-law
Allin Paul Harmon, son



Grandchildren
Amy Karlena Harmon
Faith Elisabeth Harmon
Robert Paul Harmon
Victoria Marie Harmon
Angela Nicole Harmon
Carolyn Patricia Harmon


A Chapter is Closed But Will Not Be Forgotten
By Larry Stenger

We lost a brother last week. It’s always hard to lose a brother, especially a brother like Gene Harmon. It’s hard to realize that I’ll never see his scooter roll up the ramp again, or watch him maneuver around obstacles to come into my office.

We will miss Gene greatly. He was quite a talented guy. Most of our publications such as funeral and wedding programs, teachings, agendas, 30-Days booklets, etc. were designed and published by Gene (not to mention our weekly Dove). He also created many of our logos in use today. He was an ordained minister, a writer, our computer specialist, a publisher, a photographer and a graphic artist. In spite of short deadlines, equipment failures and a stringent budget, Gene loved his work, because he loved Alleluia so much. For the last couple of years, his health prevented him from coming into the office. But Gene never wanted to drop out of the loop, so he would work on assignments at home whenever he was able.

Gene was invaluable in other ways, too. He was our resident Scripture scholar and Protestant theologian. (I bet many of our Catholic brothers and sisters never knew that a Pentecostal was proof-reading the Catholic Fellowship’s Theotokos.) But that was Gene. If you were a member of Alleluia, he didn’t worry about your denomination. You loved Jesus, so you were part of his family. Some years ago when he and Patty and my family lived in West Augusta, our Support Group would occasionally have friendly discussions about different Scriptural references. At the time, Louise Rowe was also a part of our Support Group. With a sense of finality and in her deep southern accent, she would seal our discussions with the statement “Well, the Pope says.......” Gene and Patty would look at me and smile and then wink or shrug as if to say, “that’s that.”

Yes, Gene was quite a man. He carried his cross with dignity, courage and even a sense of humor. On one occasion, Jim Dooley and he went shopping together for some items for the office. While in the store, Gene borrowed Jim’s sunglasses and cane and tooled merrily down the aisles on his scooter waving Jim’s cane back and forth as if he were the one who couldn’t see. Later, he told Jim, “I love messin’ with people.” He also loved going to Sonic’s for chocolate milkshakes and hot dogs. Many a one-on-one was held in a Sonic’s parking lot.

We will miss Gene. It will be strange to never again hear the hum of his scooter as he buzzed around the office, or to hear him laugh, or listen to him lead an awesome prayer for someone in need. Yet, I know that Gene doesn’t need a scooter anymore. He’s running with the angels now. And, I know that he is still laughing (probably at something Dale said). And I definitely know that he’s still praying for his wife, his five sons and their wives, his grandchildren and all of us, Alleluia-ites. We’ll miss you, Granbear. Save a place for us.



In his own words:

Since 1990 I have been more and more dependent on my wheel chair or scooter to navigate. In 1994 it became necessary for me to retire disabled. Rather than a debilitating thing, God used it to grant me the desire of my heart—working for Alleluia virtually full-time running the communications office. In my wildest imagination I could never have created the scenario which has brought about the most fulfilling time in my life.

When King David was assured by God that his son would build the temple and the Messiah would be of his lineage he proclaimed, “Who am I and what is my family that You have brought us this far? I cannot but ask the same question.”