Wesley Maurice Harmon

Wesley “Wes” Maurice Harmon was born in 1943 in the closely knit community of Rocky Hill in the Arkansas Ozark mountains. He was mostly raised by his grandfather, Clint Miller, a blacksmith, hunter, and trapper, and pillar of the community. Wes was a true American success story, rising through the ranks in banking. He started his career at Clinton State Bank as a teller by day and janitor by evening, eventually becoming a bank president at Community Bank in Tulsa, OK and later chairman of the board at the Central Bank of Oklahoma. Along the way he obtained a banking degree at Southwest School of Banking in Dallas, Texas. A consummate family man, Wes married Adda Lee “Addie” Eaton at an early age and they become young parents to two daughters, Sherry Parsons now of Taos, NM and Rhonda Grissom now of Paris, KY. An active father, Wes encouraged his daughters in academics, piano lessons, marching band, baton twirling, and softball. His daughters went to college and graduate school, and he loved telling people that one of his daughters was an engineer, and the other a physician. Wes was a natural born leader in parent teacher organizations and in the community as well as in his career. He served as president for several chambers of commerce and worked tirelessly to improve life for his family and his community. Wes’s extended family was full of musicians who loved to get together for family sing-alongs. Wes was a singer and guitar player from an early age and learned the shaped notes system for gospel music. Throughout his life, he was a song leader in church, performed at many events and ceremonies, and shared his zest for life through songs. He and his son-in-law, Robert Parsons, once entertained a group at a national park lodge for hours around the campfire when the regular performers didn’t show. A passionate Arkansas Razorbacks fan, Wes and his grandson attended a Razorback game last fall. Arkansas won in a 4-overtime thriller. A kind and gentle soul, Wes often visited friends in the hospital, and pitched in to help in times of need, whether installing a ceiling fan or mowing the lawn for a friend. A man of integrity and values, he always tried to keep improving himself and to do the right thing. Four years ago Wes and Addie celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. They married as high school sweethearts and remained faithful and loving to each other over their entire lives. Of all the living people who know Wes, Addie has known him for the longest and his memory remains strongest with her. From camping to square dancing to raising two beautiful and successful daughters, Wes and Addie shared many joyful memories together. They started out as two poor country kids from the Ozarks, but by the end of their life they had travelled the world together. Surely when they were both teenagers they never imagined that one day they would travel to Peru with their daughter and climb the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Wes never stopped seeking new adventures. An avid outdoorsman, he camped, hunted, and explored. He loved travel, wood-working, riding motorcycles, climbing mountains and snow shoeing in New Mexico. Wes camped and hiked around the world with friends and family. One of his favorite destinations was Red River Gorge in Kentucky where he camped with his wife, daughter, and grandson every fall. Wes is pre-deceased by his father Wesley Harmon, a Baptist minister of Rocky Hill, Ark; mother, Helen Tedder of Bristow, OK; sister Mary Hawthorne of Bristow, OK; and brother Paul David Tedder of Bristow, Ok. Wes is survived by his wife, Adda Lee Harmon of Tulsa, Ok; daughters Sherry (Robert) Parsons, and Rhonda (Steve) Grissom; grandson Zachary Grissom; brother Clint Tedder of Clinton, Ark; sister Linda Cusick of Kellyville, OK; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and countless friends. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. This obituary is protected by copyright laws, unauthorized use or duplication is prohibited.