Baxter O'Neil Harmon

Baxter O’Neil Harmon, 79, of Lenoir, passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care. He was born in Watauga County on December 16, 1937 to the late George Calvin Harmon and Ruth Tester Harmon. He was married to Rachel Haigler Harmon of the home for 57 years. Baxter spent 6 years in the North Carolina National Guard 1450th Field Artillery Unit. He retired from Blue Ridge Electric after 37 years of service. Baxter was an active, charter member of Hibriten Optimist Club and while active there he was District Lieutenant Governor. In 1971-72 he received the North Carolina Optimist Distinguished Lt. Governor’s Award. Baxter was an active member of Lower Creek Baptist Church for more than 55 years. He served as a Deacon, was an usher for 40 years and sang in the choir. He enjoyed landscaping and his efforts could be seen in his beautiful yard. Baxter loved spending time with his grandchildren. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Sheldon Harmon and his brothers, Bill Harmon and Hansel Harmon. Other than his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Sharon Osborne and husband, Craig and his grandchildren, Sarah Osborne, Daniel Osborne; his daughter-in-law, Cathy W. Harmon and granddaughter, Aubrey Harmon; his sisters, Jamie Roberts of Hudson and Margie Thomas of Zionville; and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Baxter’s life will be held at Lower Creek Baptist Church on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 3:00 PM with Pastor Larry Gilbreath and Pastor Bert Blackburn officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tom Bryant, Kenneth Bryant, Bill Terry, Tony Setzer, Robert Wilson and Sandy Hoyle. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Caldwell County Yokefellow and Lenoir Emergency Outdoor Shelter (LEOS), P.O. Box 2422, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be sent to the Harmon Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com