Mr. Richard Harmon, 81, died Monday, December 29, 2025, in Oxford, MS.
Born on August 7, 1944, in Chicago, IL to the late Louis and Mina Lorenzini Harmon, Richard was a veteran of the United State Air Force. He worked at many things including as a taxi driver and car salesman before finding his way into the office machine business with a specialty in copiers. He founded his own company with two locations, Panasystems, in Delaware where he spent most of his working life. Rich was an avid tennis and baseball player as long as his body permitted. He followed the Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago Bears throughout his life. He loved beaches (for lounging and swimming), fishing (lake and ocean), swimming, traveling (visited 49 of the 50 states), music of all kinds (especially oldies), and movies. Rich was a foodie before the word was invented, loving to try new restaurants and foods. It didn’t stop there. His idea of shopping was the grocery store where he could browse forever. Then, it was home to cook, especially cooking the recipes learned from his beloved Italian grandmother. Rich loved his dogs, and the assorted foster dogs that found their way into his home. He also drove rescued dogs on transports. He was an avid supporter of many dog rescue organizations. This brings us to another aspect of his personality that was much loved by those who knew him well. If you were an underdog and/or his friend, he had your back with a ferocious intensity.
Survivors include his wife of thirty years, Barbara Karcher Harmon of Oxford, MS; a son, David Harmon of Oxford, MS; a step-son, Douglas Kraus of New Orleans, LA; a granddaughter, Isabella Harmon of Plainfield, IL; and a brother, Robert Harmon of Berwyn, IL. In addition, his beloved dogs, Bella, a hound mix and Katie, a Pitbull survive him.
In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his beloved dogs, Pinky, a black lab mix and Grace, a terrier mix.
Memorial contributions in Richard’s memory may be made to Second Chance Animal Alliance, P.O. Box 794, Water Valley, MS 38965.
