Sonny Harmon

1941 - 2022

Sonny Harmon
August 17, 1941 - June 8, 2022
Burlington, North Carolina - Sonny Harmon, 80, of Burlington, passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Liberty Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Burlington. A native of Norfolk, VA, he was the husband of Bonnie Harmon and son of the late Arthur Judson Harmon, Sr. and Iva Mae Overton Harmon. He was a member of Brick Reformed Church.
Sonny had many professional life experiences. He served briefly in the US Navy and took part in the Officer's Training Program before returning to the family businesses. There he worked many years alongside his father in the automobile industry. The family, being one of the first Volkswagen dealers in the United States, Sonny was in the first dealer's training program ever offered by Volkswagen of America as part of an effort to establish and grow the brand. Sonny later went on to become a small business owner in his own right first by opening Sonny's Sporting Goods in Burlington in 1975, later becoming Burlington Sporting Goods. In 1992, Sonny created The Bradford Group of Burlington, now known as Syntech of Burlington, Inc. These companies were one of the first to manufacture ADA-compliant signage in the eastern United States and continues to do so with nationwide distribution.
Sonny was also a prominent figure on the national scene as a professional racquetball player during its heyday of the 70's and 80's. He was a top 10 player in the nation for several years at the sport's highest level as well as on the Senior circuit. Sonny was inducted into the NC Racquetball Hall of Fame in 2004.
Surviving, other than his wife of the home, are a son Brad Harmon of Burlington; a brother Richard "Dicky" Harmon (Debbie) of Wake Forest, NC; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wayne and Gloria Smith; several loving nieces and nephews as well as a great nephew and three great nieces, who he loved to tease and tell stories to. Sonny was also preceded in death by a sister Betty H. Durst of Durham.
The family will receive visitors wishing to pay last respects on Sunday, June 26th at the Lakeside Clubhouse at Lake Mackintosh from 2-5 pm. The address is 2704 Huffman Mill Rd. in Burlington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alamance Community College Foundation, PO Box 8000, Graham, NC 27253 or to Brick Reformed Church, 3699 Brick Church Rd., Burlington, NC 27215.
Condolences may be offered online at www.richandthompson.com.