Loran Thomas Harmon

I had him for a world history class at Liberal Arts in 1974. I remember him well. Kinda hip. He commented one day about his stopping smoking. I said hell, if he can do it I can. Thanks Mr. Harmon for helping me stop a bad habit that could have harmed me.

A brilliant mind. A unique person who will be missed. A true educator.

Loran and I taught together at Liberal Arts and became friends who shared common ideas and love of teaching. He was one of the most interesting people I knew, and I loved our encounters over the years as he always had unique experiences to relate. I lost track of him, but reconnected with Sharon several years ago and was able to keep up with his illness, a real tragedy. He was special to many, many people for a variety of reasons, and he will be greatly missed.

Mr.Harmon was my most influential teacher in high school. I will never forget him. He stimulated my interest in folk music, history, philosophy, and many other things. I learned about dulcimers from him, and eventually made one myself. I also have good memories of his wife Sharon, who was one of my history teachers in high school. I am saddened to hear of his passing.

Loran was my beloved Uncle who brought dreams to a young girl in rural Washington County. He always came with gifts, unusual foods or tales of eating unusual foods. In that era, children from Vernon did not know what gumbo and dirty rice tasted like. And, we could only imagine what Mardi Gras was like after hearing one of his lenghty but so interesting descriptions.

When we were young he took me and my two sisters to Atlanta. He carried us to Stone Mountain, Varsity Grill at...

He was my Beloved Uncle, the one I loved best in the world, and sometimes when I was mad at my father (his youngest brother) for something trivial I wished Uncle Loran was my Daddy because *he* would have understood (Daddy and I clashed a lot when I was a teenager because we are so much alike).

I always loved him, and his influence shaped my world view for the better. He taught me that there IS no box to think outside of, unless you let someone else put you in a box. The wings my mind...

Mr. Harmon was also my teacher at Pensacola School of Liberal Arts in the early 1970's.

He motivated me to study current events while in school, and my grades improved under his leadership.

He was a chaperone on my high school senior trip to Nassau in 1973, but rather than dictate to us during the cruise he became one of us: allowing us freedom, bailing us out when we got into trouble, joining in on the fun, being an all around wonderful person and friend.

I'm saddened by...

I had a class with Mr. Harmon in the 70's. I really enjoyed the class. He always made it come to life. I think of him whenever I see or hear a dulcimer.

My sympathy and prayers are with your family.