Pleasant Discovery!

On Wednesday evening we spent a wonderful time with Darrell's Uncle Cecil (age 89) and his pleasantly demented wife, Bunzie! Just about every 15 minutes or so, she shared with us that she and Cecil met in a cemetery! They both had recently lost their spouses and were visiting their grave sites when they met and shortly thereafter, married. That was in 1989. Nineteen years later they seem to still be in love.....

Cecil and Bunzie Harmon

Cecil married Helen Golliday on September 6, 1942 in a town near St. Louis, Missouri. They had one daughter, Patricia Ann born August 18, 1945 and a son, Bruce born July 27, 1958. Helen passed away in 1988 from cancer. Pat is married to John Sweeten and they have 2 children: Matthew Sweeten is married to Stephanie and they have a daughter Madeleine, and Melissa recently married Matthew Mustain. They all live in Raymore, MO. Bruce Harmon married Becky and they live in Coral, FL. Pat and Bruce are first cousins to Darrell.

Left to Right: Matthew and Stephanie Sweeten, daughter Madeleine; Bruce and Becky Harmon; Cecil and Bunzie Harmon; Melissa and Matthew Mustain; Pat and John Sweeten

Cecil served in the Army Air Corps (Air Force) for over 20 years. Above are all of his decorations. He was a pilot of the B24 bombers. Once while on a bombing mission to Germany, his plane was shot down over Italy. Fortunately the English picked him up before the enemies found him! He retired out of McCoy Air Force Base in Florida, where he lived until 2 years ago when he and Bunsie moved to MO. to live with his daughter Pat as their health fails.

Uncle Cecil and Darrell with Harmon Coat of Arms

Cecil became a Christian in 1950. It is sad that he and his brother Kenneth (Darrell's father) were seemingly estranged. Perhaps things would have turned out better for Kenny's line of the Harmon family if they had been closer. But we all make choices in life that will affect our life, and often our descendants' lives, for better or for worse. It was pretty exciting to find that common bound between Uncle Cecil and Darrell, though! Who would have known?!?!

HARMON Coat of Arms