Paul Chadwick Harmon

HARMON Paul Chadwick, 85, went home to be with the Lord on Thu, Dec 4, 2008, after a short illness. He was born on April 3, 1923, in Lebanon, KY, the son of Jesse R. Harmon and Pauline Yates. Chad lived with his beloved grandfather, "Daddyman" Yates and grandmother, "Bub" on a farm in Marion County, KY. Daddyman and Chad always had Tennessee Walking Horses on the farm and enjoyed riding and training them. In fact, when Chad was still in elementary school, not far from the farm, his grandfather would see that Chad was safely saddled and sent him off to school on his horse. After finishing high school he enlisted in the Signal Corps and received his training in Florida and Fort Monmouth, NJ. His military occupational specialty was radar repairman and he was promoted to Technician 4th Grade in the 222nd Signal Depot Co. His military service during WWII was 1942-1946, in England and Northern France. After General de Gaulle and his military made their triumphant march into liberated Paris the 222nd Signal Depot Company followed them into Paris to set up operations needed. Before leaving Paris, France for the United States their Company was invited by the Swiss Government to come to Switzerland and demonstrate to them their equipment. He was honored to be one of the chosen men to make the trip. After his discharge from active duty, he became a Commissioned Officer in the Officer Reserve Corps of the Army of the United States in the grade of Second Lieutenant. He enjoyed the years of service to his country. He entered college at Centre College in Danville, KY, and made several life-long friends from among the many GI students. After three years at Centre, he transferred to the University of Kentucky in Lexington and earned his degree in Electrical Engineering. He accepted a position with Western Electric Co. in Winston-Salem, NC and later was transferred to Greensboro, NC. He retired from Lucent Technologies in 1987 after 34 years with the AT&T Corporation. He always felt the most interesting years were during the 50s and 60s when their Government contracts required them to install radar electronics in the B52's and Nuclear Submarines for the Army and Navy. He enjoyed his career work very much. During the early 1960s he became interested in learning to fly general aviation aircraft. Through friends at work he learned there was a flying club in Burlington, NC that was formed by Western Electric employees in 1955. It is the 2nd oldest flying club in America, starting with 10 members and a 1946 Taylor Craft airplane. Through the years it has grown to 30 members and three instrument rated aircraft: two Bonanzas and one Piper Archer 180. He earned his Private Pilot rating and Instrument rating. With his family, had many happy hours flying all over the USA and islands of the Bahamas. His wife Lois, earned her Private Pilot rating also, and became his "Life-long Co-pilot". He enjoyed his association with the Western Flying Club and served as their treasurer for many years. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lois Miller Harmon, two daughters: Linda Holtom and husband Roger, Paula Settle and husband Stephen, grandson: Jesse Clay Settle, and three granddaughters: Heather Winstead Winter and husband Jason, Erin Jane Settle and Devin Marie Settle. The funeral will be held at 12pm, Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, Main Street, Lexington, KY. Pastor Foy Back will officiate. Burial will follow at Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, Kentucky. The family will receive friends from 11am until 12 noon at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Palliative Care Unit at Moses Cone Hospital, 1200 N. Elm St. Greensboro, NC 27401.