Winferd Harmon

Winferd Roy Harmon (Winnie) was born to William Henry and Lucinda Victoria Harmon on April 2, 1926, on a farm north of Mullinville, Kansas, during the snowstorm of 1926. He died on May 24, 2017, at the age of 91 in Kiowa, Kansas. His was a life well lived. We rejoice in knowing that he trusted in Jesus as his Savior at the age of 82.

During the dust bowl in 1933, William and Lucinda moved Winnie and his sister, Evelyn Marie, to Greensburg, Kansas. His father worked as an electrician for the City of Greensburg and wired the Hand-Dug Well. Winnie was a Boy Scout and played both football and basketball in high school. During his senior year, he received a letter that would impact him the remainder of his days. He was to be inducted into the United States Army to serve in World War II. He graduated from Greensburg High School in 1944 and soon departed for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Winnie was trained to shoot airplanes out of the sky with a 40 MM anti-aircraft gun. He was assigned to the 77th Infantry Division where he underwent jungle training in Hawaii, which was no vacation spot at the time. He then spent several months in Saipan. He was shipped to Okinawa where his division made the final assault on the Shuri Line and they conquered the most defended stronghold, Shuri Castle. This was a day that never left him. After the war in Okinawa was over, he was shipped to Cebu Island in the Philippines. The Japanese soon surrendered and the war was finally over. He did occupation duty on the Island of Hokkaido and spent several months in Tokyo, Japan. Winnie received an Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sergeant on August 8, 1946. We are proud of his service to our country. He was a very good soldier who did what he was trained to do, though he never shot a single airplane out of the sky!

After he returned home, Winnie moved to Dodge City, Kansas, to work for his uncle at the Nash Garage. He later worked for Winter Feed Yard as their office manager for 32 years where he was well respected by the owners and fellow employees. Winnie enjoyed the cattle business until he retired in 1988.

On August 15, 1948, Winnie married the love of his life, Gladys Joyce Meredith. They celebrated 68 years together; 56 years in Dodge City and 12 years in Derby, KS. Winnie and Gladys built three homes together, doing the majority of the work themselves. He was passionate about gardening, nurturing his many fruit trees, and fishing. He played cards, chess, and horseshoes. Winnie was a kind man who loved his family, enjoyed his friends, and saw the best in others. His greatest joy has been his children and his grandchildren, and he was always active in their lives. To him, the only thing better than babies was more babies!

Winferd is survived by his sister, Evelyn Ireland, Bremerton, Washington; his children, Joyce Moore, Livermore, California; Leesa Mott (Craig), Kiowa, Kansas; Meredith Harmon (Debbie), Omaha, Nebraska; Beth McKee (Ray), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; an abundance of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lucinda; wife, Gladys; infant granddaughter, Breanna McKee; son-in-law, Lex Eckert; brother-in-law, John Vanausdall; and brother-in-law, Wendell Ireland.

A graveside service with Military Honors will be held May 27, 2017, at Hillcrest Cemetery, Mullinville, Kansas, at 10:00 a.m. Winferd will be laid to rest next to his parents and his wife.

In lieu of flowers, please support our veterans by making your check payable to “Wounded Warrior Project” and mail it to Lanman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 42, Kiowa, Kansas 67070, in memory of Winferd R. Harmon.