Rev. Lamont W. Harmon

Rev. Lamont Harmon, a native of Delaware, was born on May 7, 1940 and raised in Rehoboth Beach., DE. Rehoboth Beach was well known for summer religious gatherings in the 1800's. Rev. Harmon is one of three sons born to the late Leroy and Lillian Harmon. Church was an important part of the Harmon family life. The brothers grew up near the ocean with all its sights, sounds and smells. Rev. Harmon attended school in Delaware prior to desegregation. He graduated from William C. Jason Comprehensive High School in 1958. This was followed by a four year tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force. The Air Force opened many new horizons for this young man with an inquiring mind. He traveled to Europe and North Africa during the Vietnam War. Rev. Harmon also participated in the Berlin Wall airlift, and later in the Cuban crisis. He served in the 7th Fighter-Bomber squadron in England. He also served in the 40th DES Air Force Squadron in Maine, and NASA, 1982 - 1984. As part of his patriotic service, he was commissioned to vice commander in the United States Coast Guard Reserve. He has been a lot of places in his lifetime. He had a vast amount of experiences and memories to reflect upon. He is truly one of America's unsung heroes. Rev. Harmon began his secondary school education at Delaware State University. He graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from Purdue University. Utilizing his degree in engineering, Rev. Harmon's professional experience included work at General Foods, Dover, DE; General Mills, Chicago, IL; Corning Glass, Elmira, NY; and NASA. Lamont was appointed and served as Commissioner in the city of Park Forest, Cook County, IL, in community relations with the FBI in the Justice Department for mitigation and arbitration and Park Forest Water Place, IL. Rev. Harmon received several post graduate degrees. He attended graduate school at McCormick Theological Seminary, and received a Master of Arts in Theological Studies in 1990. Rev. Harmon was ordained an Itinerant Elder in 1990 at Grant Memorial AME Church in Chicago, IL. Rev. Harmon served as Assistant Pastor in the 4th Episcopal District from 1988-1990 at Payne Chapel AME Church in Chicago Heights, IL. In 1991, he was appointed pastor of Caison Memorial AME Church in Markham, IL. He pastored there five years. In 1996, Rev. Harmon retired from the State of Illinois and moved back to his family home in the Rehoboth Beach area. After transferring to the Delaware Annual Conference, Rev. Harmon was appointed Pastor of Burton Chapel AME Church. He served at Burton's Chapel between 1997 and 2002. He was later appointed as the Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Milton, DE. Rev. Harmon is a member of the Buffalo Soldiers of DE and served as their chaplain. He also enjoyed playing the guitar, riding his motorcycle, fishing and clam digging. Rev. Harmon moved to North Carolina in 2012, and superannuated at the 90th Session of the Delaware Annual Conference in March 2013. Rev. Harmon was preceded in death by his parents, Lamont and Lillian Harmon; son, Lamont W. Harmon, Jr.; daughter, Camille Harmon and brother, Larry Harmon. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Sandra O'Hara and their daughter, Nevaeh Harmon; his children; Diveadra (Debbi) Harmon, Anna Harmon, Shuna Harmon, and Christian Harmon; his second mom whom he loved dearly, Henrietta Pierson; brother, Tony (Lucille) Harmon; sister-in-law, Carolyn Harmon; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

Rev. Lamont W. Harmon

May 7, 1940 - April 6, 2013