David "Pops" Earl Harmon

David Earl "Pops" Harmon, 64, of La Grande, died Oct. 26 at Salem Hospital surrounded by family and friends. A private burial and memorial service will be held at a later date. Crown Memorial Center in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

David was born March 4, 1945, to William Earl and Frances Cecilia (Lee) Harmon in Oakland, Calif. The family moved to Umatilla in 1950 and settled in Hermiston where he was raised, attending public school and graduating from Hermiston High School with the Class of 1963.

David joined the Army in 1963. While serving in the military, he was a staff sergeant and a drill sergeant, which allowed him to travel and live in various places such as Germany, Texas, Alaska and Washington. While in Germany, David and his sons became interested in off-road racing Volkswagens. After being honorably discharged in 1978, David worked for his father for five years at Earl's Sales and Salvage in Hermiston.

David married Cindy Snider Sept. 18, 1983, in Walla Walla.

In 1984, David changed his career path and went to work for the Umatilla Army Depot, where he worked until his retirement in 1995. David liked to stay busy and decided that complete retirement was not for him and went to work for Wal-Mart, where he made many friends and worked for six years.

He enjoyed fishing, camping, boating, woodworking, racing Volkswagen bugs off-road and spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends.

David was preceded in death by his father, William Earl Harmon; and brothers, Michael and Timothy Harmon.

David is survived by his mother, Frances Harmon of Echo; wife, Cindy Harmon of La Grande; sisters, Karen Douglas and her husband of Echo and Donna Sullivan and her husband of Stockton, Calif.; sons, Jason and his wife, Christina Harmon, of
La Grande and Perry Harmon of Olympia, Wash.; daughter, Charity Dickenson of La Grande; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews.

To leave online condolences, visit http://www.anewtradition.com/obituaries/.

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