Robert Duane “R.D” Harmon

Robert Duane “R.D” Harmon, formerly of Texas, passed away on May 24, 2024, at his home in Plainville, at the age of 73.

He was born on July 3, 1950, in Garden City, Kansas, to Duane and Wilma (Ginther) Harmon.

R.D. grew up in Logan and graduated from Logan High School in 1968. He later attended and graduated (1972) from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics and Marketing.

He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, a student senator, student body president, and student body finance chair. After graduating from Kansas State University, he moved to Hays and started a meat packing business, eventually leading him to Alaska. After about a six-month stay, he decided to head south to Guadalajara, Mexico. On his adventure, R.D. made a few stops along the way. One included Grants Pass, Oregon, where he met Lorrie (Gustafson) Brous. Throughout this union came a stepson and four children: Matthew, Jarrett, Rusty, Laramie, and Rowdy.

In September 1978, they made their home in Logan, where R.D. operated Harmon Enterprises. They eventually moved to the family farm south of Logan to run the day-to-day operations. During that time, R.D. and Lorrie also ran the Trading Post Cafe in Logan, the VFW in Stockton, and Rowdy’s Bar and Grill in Hill City in 1993.

In 1995, R.D. decided that his dreams were too big for the small-town life and took to the road for the remainder of his life. He resided in many places throughout the years, marketing his business ventures and start-up ideas. He later ended up in Tyler, Texas, where he loved to call home because of the fair weather all year round. When his health took a turn, his children helped move him to Plainville.

R.D. always enjoyed hunting, fishing, entertaining, and cooking. He was always ready for a good time, and that usually included a meal and good company. If you have ever attended a dance or a celebration organized by R.D., you know it was going to be a great time. R.D. also enjoyed raising livestock and breeding and training horses.

He is survived by his children, Matthew (Mandi) Brous, of Hays, Jarrett (Jacque) Harmon, of Plainville, and Russell (Amanda) Harmon, Laramie Harmon, and Shane “Rowdy” (Desiree) Harmon, all of Hill City; 15 grandchildren; siblings, Cindy (Rex) Hill, of San Antonio, Texas, Tam (Marc) Kemper and Marla (Bill) Ashmore, both of Logan, Chuck (Jody) Harmon, of Garnett, and Trina (Antoine Britten) Harmon, of Nashville, TN.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and his uncle, Teddy Joe.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on June 21, 2024, at the Cowboy Junction in Hill City. A social hour will start at 5 pm, and service will follow shortly after. Please join us in celebrating the life of R.D. Harmon by honoring him with a live band and a true “Rowdy’s” fashion party later in the evening.

Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville was in charge of arrangements.