Frank Leon Harmon, 91, passed away on Saturday, September 15, 2007 in Dixie, LA, where he lived for the past 1 ½ years. He was born to the late James Lewis and Camilla Cooper Harmon in Lafayette County, MS. He and his wife of 69 years, Mildred Wood Harmon, were former residents of Water Valley, MS for 30 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from January 1943 to May 1945. He graduated -with a BS from the University of Mississippi in 1938, MA from the University of Mississippi 1940, and doctorate studies at Oklahoma State University. He served as a High School Principal and Basketball Coach at Crawfordsville, AR 1940-1942, Retail Services at Biloxi, MS 1945-1947, High School Principal at Lake Village, AR 1948-1954, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Arkansas at Monticello 1954-1959, and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Louisiana Monroe 1959-1976. He was co-author with Dr. Dan DuPree of 5 mathematics text books, beginning with “Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics.” This book had a special emphasis for elementary educators to teach mathematical concepts in elementary schools. He was a member of the Rotary International – Paul Harris Fellow, Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA and a former member of First Baptist Church of Water Valley, MS. He was the Director of the National Science Foundation summer institute for Secondary Teachers – 1969, Director of NASA Research Contract with the University of Louisiana Monroe – 1963, and Recipient of the National Science Foundation Grant – 1963-1964.
The visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 in Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home with Dr. Randy Bain presiding. Burial will take place in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens in Water Valley, MS.
Mr. Harmon is survived by his wife, Mildred Wood Harmon of Dixie, LA; two daughters, Camilla Harmon Baxter of Collierville, TN and Eleanor Daniels Hilsenrath of Fairfield Bay, AR; a son, Dr. Frank Wood Harmon of Dixie, LA; ten grandchildren, Elizabeth Baxter, Lesley Baxter Bonds, Kenneth Baxter, Dr. Michael Daniels, Paul Daniels, Alex Daniels, Holly Harmon Bissell, Hayley Harmon Bumpas, Jon Harmon and Kendall Harmon; and seven great grandchildren.
Along with his parents, Mr. Harmon was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Bell Harmon Vines and Beaulah Harmon Reed and three brothers, Wayne Harmon, Earnest Harmon and Dwight Harmon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church in Water Valley, MS or Broadmoor Baptist in Shreveport, LA.