Charles Ray Harmon, 92, of Fremont entered his Savior’s presence on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Dunklau Gardens.
Ray was born to Luther and Clara (Bundy) Harmon on January 28, 1933, at his family’s farm near Greenwood. His family moved to Gretna, Springfield, and Loup City. A lover of people, Ray delighted in attending high school reunions from all three high schools he attended, Gretna High School, Papillon High School, and graduating from Loup City High School (1951).
He studied agriculture at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. During his freshman year, the pretty Eleanor Steavenson, his future wife, caught his eye in the mirror at a church dinner.
After graduating, Ray entered the army in February 1955. He returned home on leave to wed Eleanor on November 20, 1955, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Corporal Harmon served at Ladd Air Force Base in Alaska and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He was honorably discharged in February 1957.
The couple lived on the family farm near Fontanelle, where they raised three children. He taught his children and grandchildren about farming and proudly included his sons and several grandchildren in the family business. A savvy businessman, Ray was a co-owner of Fontanelle Hybrid Seed Corn Company and diversified his farm operations to include cow calf herds near Taylor, Nebraska, and New Market, Iowa. He also served on the board of directors of Two Rivers Bank in Arlington.
Ray believed the most important thing was knowing Jesus and gladly worked to help others know Him, too, serving as a member of the Fremont Gideons and on the International Board of Child Evangelism Fellowship. He was a member of the Fremont Evangelical Free Church.
Ray and Eleanor traveled extensively around the US and internationally. He enjoyed visiting family and friends on his trips. He loved a good joke, had a twinkle in his eye, and gave each of his grandchildren an affectionate pet name.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor Harmon, with whom he shared over 69 years of marriage; daughter Nanci (Keith) Davy of Orlando, Florida, and sons Steave (Ginny) Harmon of Fontanelle and Tom (Emiko) Harmon of Fremont; 10 grandchildren Sarah (Kirk) Springer, Nathan (Esther) Davy, Rebekah (Jess) Kment, Anna (Dan) Luddeke, Phillip (Ashley) Harmon, Daniel (Brynne) Davy, Leah (Jack) Younger, Joyce Harmon, Grace Harmon, Manuel Harmon; 17 great-grandchildren (Aleah, Isaac, and Edward Springer; Eleanor, Josephine, and Leo Davy; Ryker, Bridger, and Colter Kment; Silas, Hudson, Ezekiel, and Barrett Luddeke; Natalie Harmon; Cleo and Charles Davy; Joel and Hannah Younger).
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers James Harmon and Richard Harmon, and sister, Jerris Palmer.
The memorial service will be held Saturday, April 19, at 11:00 AM at the Fremont Evangelical Free Church. Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
