Obituary: LaRay Harmon

While stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, he was selected to train for the U.S. Modern Pentathlon team due to his prowess at long-distance running. When he separated from active-duty service, he continued in the Oregon Air National Guard for eight years before completing his service in the Army Reserves, retiring in the rank of Major.

LaRay graduated from Oregon State University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Landscape Construction and Maintenance and a minor in Speech and Drama. He went on to get a Master’s degree in Recreation and Park Management from the University of Oregon. He had a true passion for the outdoors, and at one point was working toward becoming a national park ranger. LaRay also had a knack for computers. He received a computer programming degree from Portland Community College, where he also began a long career as a computer instructor, teaching there for 26 years. When stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C, he met the love of his life, Linda Lancaster. They were married June 19, 1971, in Goldsboro, N.C., and had seven children together, five girls and two boys. Family was most important to LaRay, and he centered his life around his wife and children.

LaRay was always actively involved in religion. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on his birthday, April 3 in 1971, and later, he and his wife served four missions for the church. Their first mission was at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Next, they served as Military Relations Specialists at Misa-wa Air Force Base in Japan where their son, Jonathan, was also stationed. They then served missions at the Orem Record Organization Center in Utah and in records preservation at home.

LaRay’s hobbies included photography, building puzzles, gardening, hiking, and family history. He was active in scouting, earning the Silver Beaver Award, scouting’s highest honor. He could always be found outside, working on a new project outside the house. He has passed down his passion for many of these hobbies to his children.

He will be missed by many.

He is survived by his wife Linda; his children Misty, Ginger, Chris, Pepper, Tiffany, LaRinda, and Jonathan; his brothers and sisters: Gretta, Rosena, Lynn, Verna, Terray, and Wayne; and 28 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 101 W 10th St., at 2 p.m. on April 2. Come and celebrate his life.