Philip A. Harmon

PHILIP A. HARMON passed away on January 30, 2026 in Lexington, KY aged 85 years following complications from a stroke.
He was born on July 5, 1940 in Memphis, TN. Son of the late James Austin Harmon and Electa O. Turley Harmon.
Phil was a Graduate of Huntington East High School, Huntington, WV, Class of 1957 and a graduate of Marshall University, also in Huntington. Phil and his family were members of Highlawn Methodist Church and South Side United Methodist Church, both in Huntington, and later joined Centenary United Methodist Church in Lexington.
Following graduation from high school, Phil enlisted in the US Air Force at the age of seventeen and was stationed in Morocco where he worked in US Military telecommunications. His time in the Air Force as a young man provided valuable discipline that he shared with friends and family throughout his life. Having witnessed people starving on the African Continent led him to teach his children that nothing should ever be wasted or taken for granted, especially food. This foundation informed many of his decisions for the rest of his life.
Following his discharge from the military, he returned to Huntington where he finished his education and met Connie Meador. They married in 1964 and together raised two sons while Phil embarked on a long career in Risk Management with Ashland Oil, later Ashland Inc. His work provided the opportunity to travel the world, and he used that time to learn about other countries and cultures, and to forge life-long friendships.
Following his retirement from Ashland, Phil worked for The State of Kentucky in code enforcement at The Office of Workers' Claims. In his final professional role, Phil was CEO of The Good Samaritan Foundation in Lexington.
Phil and Connie were married for 59 years until her death in 2023.
Phil is survived by countless friends and loved ones including his sister Mary Beth Grizzell of Columbus, OH; his son Matt Harmon and Matt's partner Craig Lacko of Palm Springs, CA; son Mike Harmon and his wife Susan; one granddaughter, Jordan Stanley and her husband Brenden of Lexington; one grandson, John Austin Harmon of New London, CT; and two great-grandsons, Cole Stanley and Drew Stanley, of Lexington. Phil was predeceased by his younger brother David Wesley Harmon.
Beyond time spent with his family, Phil's greatest passion was football. He followed the game with unwavering enthusiasm and a detailed knowledge of its rules and strategies, rarely missing a game played by his favorite teams especially his alma mater, Marshall University. Among his deepest joys was the pride he felt watching his son Mike coach and play the game, and later seeing his grandson, John Austin, carry on that tradition and his love for the sport.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 16, 2026 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Milward - Man O' War in Lexington, KY. The Graveside Service will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Barboursville, WV. www.milwardfuneral.com