Bennie James Harmon

Bennie J. Harmon

1935 – 2020

Bennie James Harmon went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 25, 2020.  Bennie was born in Crocket, Texas to parents James Fletcher and Alene Harmon on August 15, 1935.  He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years Geneva Lee Welch, his parents and two sisters Peggy Cliburn and Wanda Wright.  He is survived by his son James Keith Harmon, wife Julia Lee Harmon and granddaughter Marion Clair Harmon; his two sisters Annie O’Neal, Clara Perryman and her husband Bert; as well has several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Bennie’s boyhood years were spent in Crocket with his parents, five sisters, uncles and aunts.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping with his Dad on the Trinity river and as the only boy in the family learned survival skills that would serve him well in marriage and raising his own family.  He moved to Houston during high school and represented his school in football and track.  After graduation he joined the workforce and Army reserves, and later was introduced to the love of his life, Geneva, by his Uncle Roger’s wife Ola Harmon.  A true southern gentleman, he charmed his future bride and throughout their courtship his sisters helped him along sharing their passion for dancing and fun, and gaining the trust of Geneva’s parents through fishing her Dad – Jack, and having a healthy appetite for Mom’s – Lois, cooking.  Bennie and Geneva married November 30, 1957 in the Galena Park Church of Christ and honeymooned in New Orleans, Louisiana.  They initially resided in South Houston and later moved to Galena Park and then North Shore where they resided for 50+ years.  Bennie’s career was primarily in the transportation industry and enjoyed success as a salesman.  Most notably he led the southern expansion for AJF Leasing, headquartered in St. Louis MO, and opened offices in Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth and then expanding into Oklahoma and Louisiana. His efforts were acknowledged with sales awards over the years at his company’s sales and leadership meeting and though he enjoyed success in business he also found time to serve his community as a Coach at the local YMCA, as a member of the Masonic Lodge with his father-in-law Jack, and as an active Church member.  In addition, he was a family first man and always set aside weekends for his family and Church and shared his passion for sports, fishing and hunting and made sure family went along with him.  Bennie was an avid sports fan as well and he attended the local High Schools’ football and basketball games and most enjoyed cheering his son’s and granddaughter’s teams whenever they played and of course he was one of the many fans for the Houston professional teams since their inception.  Most of all he enjoyed being part of the competition and enjoyed years of playing dominos and card games, and rarely missed the monthly Church game night – always loved the games, food and the fellowship.  Bennie was truly blessed with a great family, friends and health during his lifetime.  His friendly spirit and smile will live with us forever – another angel on our shoulders.

The family invites you to join them in a celebration of life at Sterling-White Funeral Home and Cemetery on Monday June 1, 2020.  Visitation hour is 12:00 to 1:00pm.  The funeral service will follow starting at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations in memory of Bennie and Geneva to Baylor College of Medicine’s Alzheimer Research fund.  Below is additional information for consideration.

Main Line: (713) 798-4714
Main Fax: (713) 798-3344
Email: connect@bcm.edu

Mailing Address
Baylor College of Medicine
Office of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs
MSC #800
P.O. Box 4976
Houston, TX 77210

Donate online:

https://connect.bcm.edu/SSLPage.aspx?pid=456

Designation: Other – Alzheimer’s Research in memory of Bennie & Geneva Harmon