Don B. Harmon

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A visitation for Donald B. ‘Don B’ Harmon will be held Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home, 320 W 7th St, Columbia, TN 38401. Following the visitation will be a celebration of life service at 2:00 PM and Don will be laid to rest in Polk Memorial Gardens.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Jan; his daughter Sheldon (Steven) Bell; and grandchildren, Josh Bell, Jake Bell, and Haley Bell all of Nashville; and his Aunt, June Turner.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Harmon, his mother, Christine “Dotty” Harmon; his brother, Larry Wayne and his son, Barron Harmon.

Don passed away on April 05, 2025 peacefully at his home. He was born March 17, 1944 at King’s Daughters Hospital, Columbia, TN to Harold and Christine “Dotty” Hardison Harmon. Harold was in Europe engaged in WWII, during the birth.

He attended Highland Park Elementary, Whitthorne Junior High, and graduated from Columbia Central High School in 1962. He participated, and somewhat excelled, in football for three seasons under Coach Jim Cartwright. Don also played basketball at CHS for two seasons and was a member of CHS’s first track team.

After graduation, Don signed a football scholarship with Middle TN State University. At the coercing of Coach Bill Gunn, he chose instead to attend and play ball for Columbia Military Academy, where he attained a Post Graduate Degree. From CMA, Don played one year of football and track @ Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. In 1964 he enrolled at Memphis State University where, after interruptions for military service, graduated with a degree in Industrial Management (Jan 1969). During this period Don happily married Jan D. Harmon (June 1967) of Columbia, who was his valued companion for the rest of his married life of 57 years.

During 1969 Don was employed by Phelps Dodge Aluminum Products and a year earlier received a commission in the TN Army National Guard as a 2nd Lieutenant. He excelled at summer training 1969 (Ft. Stewart, GA). While there, Don was Personnel Manager and in 1970 became the proud Father of his daughter, Sheldon.

In 1971, Don returned to his hometown and became a member of the General Electric Plant Start-up Team as Supervisor. During his 6 ½ years with Columbia G.E. he fathered son Barron Harmon, completed the U.S. Army Quartermaster Office Basic/Advanced Courses, and was elected President of the Columbia Jaycees. In 1976 Don was recognized by the Columbia Jaycees with its “Gold Key Award” as being the most outstanding JC of the year.

Don was promoted to G.E. Unit Manager for the Start-up of a new refrigerator plant located in Decatur, AL during 1977. He served in numerous leadership for the next 23 years at Decatur, G.E. He was a member of the inaugural ‘Leadership Decatur’ class of 1992 and a Decatur Commodore in 1993. He became a Tennessee Squire in 1985. His final assignment before retirement was Internal Quality Manager. His G.E. leadership brought him three Managerial Awards during this period.

His Army National Guard career of 28 years was climaxed by commanding the 279th Signal Battalion, headquartered in Huntsville, AL from 1986-1988. While there, he received his 2nd ‘Army Commendation Ribbon’ (w/oak leaf cluster) from the Secretary of the Army Reserve’s Command and General Staff College’ and ‘Signal Officer Advanced Course’, neither of which came easy for him. His military active reserve ended in 1993 as a Colonel O-6.

After G.E. retirement in 2000, Don was hired by Temple Electric in Decatur. This management opportunity was meant to be a 6 month temporary engagement working 3 days a week. He was happy with this assignment as it allowed time for his lifetime desire of farm ownership. This role extended into a 3 year association. As the pleasures of his 80 acre farm in Eva, AL required more and more of his time, he departed Temple in 2004. Due to health issues, he sold his beloved Eva Farm in 2017 to return full time to his Decatur residence.

On September 26, 2024, Don was inducted into Central High School’s Hall of Fame to recognize his life accomplishments.

Don was often heard to say that due to his many friends, his many experiences, and his wonderful family, he would change nothing in his life. He was a member of the ELKS Lodge and American Legion for many years.

Pallbeares will be Neal Lumpkins, Lynn Layton, John Dunagan, Wally Tillman, Eddie Rose, Randy Brown, Terry Taylor, Phil Hodges, Floyd Bost, and Larry Alexander.

Honorary Pallbearers are Members of THE SHOP – Columbia, TN, Dr. Joe Backe, and Dr. Scott Matthews.