Dorothy Ann Harmon
August 1, 1924 ~ January 17, 2019
Dorothy Ann Harmon, 94, Retired WSU Athletic Department Administrator, died Thursday, January 17, 2019. Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, January 26, 2019, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Dorothy was a member of the Pizza Hut Hall of Fame, the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame, and an honorary member of Project Beauty. She graduated from Wichita State University where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Dorothy was an active Shrine Lady for many years and a member of Soroptimist International of Wichita. In her retirement, she worked as an event coordinator at the Scottish Rite. Preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Katie Ransom; husband, Francis. Survived by her daughter, Karen Harmon of Wichita; son, Wayne Eugene (Dawn) Harmon of Olathe, KS; grandson, Greyson Harmon of Wichita. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the Francis & Dorothy Harmon Scholarship c/o WSU Foundation, 4205 E. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS 67220; or with the charity of your choice. Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.
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Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the death of your dear love one may God give you strength to endure this most difficult time of your life please read John 6:40
Dorothy was an amazing woman who touched so many and made their lives better. Karen and family, please know that Don and I held your mom in high esteem and knew how special she was. Love to all of you!
Those who pass on God keep in his memory because he cares for them sorry for your loss
Dorothy was like a second mother to me. She always remembered us and she had so many to remember in the Athletic office. Dorothy you will be missed. Thank you for all you did.
Dorothy was the best! Her laugh and smile brightened our days when we visited the athletic department office. Condolences to her family.
I worked with Dorothy as one of her assistants with the rentals from 2000 until she retired from the Scottish Rite in her late eighties. She treated all of her brides as a Mother Hen. Many times she worked all day and the stayed till midnight or later to make sure the wedding was a special event. She finally trusted me enough that I could get her to go home knowing that event would be special under my care. Dorothy was a special person and a special friend. I offer condolences to Karen and the rest of the family on the loss of this great woman. I will always remember her great smile and laughter. She will be greatly missed but always remembered.
Karan, very sorry for your loss. I hope things are well with you otherwise.
As a football player at WSU it was always reassuring to know that you had access to
Dorothy. Her door was always open, her wisdom and guidance superb, and her caring was genuine. She was like your Mom away from home. If you had a problem she would try to help you find a solution. What a sincere and thoughtful person she was. God bless her. The world needs a lot more like her!
I met Dorothy 20 years ago when I started my Bakery. She was such a kind person and I always looked forward to visiting with her during my deliveries when she ‘guarded’ the door at the Scottish Rite and at countless wedding expos. Thinking of you Karen. God Bless You. Cheri
Dear Karen and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed Dorothy and she always made me laugh and smile. She will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Sayre and Scott Rudd
Dorothy was one of the first persons I met when I began my career at Wichita State University in 1996. Dorothy was a great person to know and work with (we worked on many a contract). I loved visiting with her and we remained friends over the years and it was always fun to see her at games, events and/or the Scottish Rite. She was a true Shocker and will be missed, but never forgotten. R I P my friend.
It was my great pleasure to know Dorothy Harmon while a student at Wichita University/Wichita State University. She was so pleasant and helpful no matter what the situation might be.
Myron Webster
Student Manager 1963 WU Football Team
As a member of the WSU Football teams of 1963 and 1964 (co captain in 1964 ). I would like to extend my condolences to all of Dorothys Family . She was one of a kind and she treated all of us football players as if we were her family , and in her eyes we were . There was never anything that she could not do for you to make your time at WSU comfortable . She always managed to do many favors for me . She always made sure you stayed on track to get your degree . I will always be grateful .
My name is Glenn Kostal and I am one of the survivors of the WSU plane crash in 1970. Ms Harman , both before and after the accident was my guardian angel. She tirelessly led us all through whatever we needed, Classes, tutors, books, etc and a shoulder to lean on so far away from home. She was my to go person for everything and I am brought to tears now just thinking about all she dis for me , us , WSU. Thank you Dorthy and please keep looking over me, as I know you will.
With all my love to you and all you have touched,
Glenn
My deepest condolences to Dorothys family and, particularly, to Karen. I have known Dorothy for a good number of years, mainly relating to her second career as an Event Manager and Secretary to the Wichita Scottish Rite. I had an immediate affinity for Dorothy because of the fact that my father, who was also a Trustee at the Wichita Scottish Rite, liked Dorothy so much and, of course, I did as well. When I rose to the position of a Trustee at the Scottish Rite, I always found Dorothy to be immediately knowledgeable about anything that I needed. Of course, the fact that she had been so involved with Wichita State athletics, we always had a ball game, a coaching change, or another sporting event over which we could converse whenever we met. Dorothy was a wonderful person and a fine lady. My deepest sympathy.
Karen, your mother was a great gracious lady that had a huge impact on the lives of many people. I have fond memories of you two drinking bootlegged Tab while watching Shocker baseball. She was certainly one of a kind and will be missed by all.
Our thoughts and prayers on the passing of a wonderful mentor and lady. May the memories that linger be those of joy and laughter.
I worked with Dorothy Harmon for many years when she was the Director of the Marcus Center for Continuing Education. Dorothy was hard working,determined,tireless,kind and gracious. She was a wonderful woman .Her energy level was amazing. Dorothy gave her time and energy to students,campus and community organizations, her friends and was dedicated to the university she loved.I appreciated and valued her friendship.
Charlotte Howard
Dorothy was a wonderful and genuine lady! She showed nothing but love and kindness to me and my family from the very first time we met, and we will never forget her! Our condolences go out to Karen and the entire Harmon family. We know they have lost a great matriarch! We are praying for their strength and courage during this sad time in their lives. Love, the Lewis family!
As a young kid from Washington Pa away from home for the first time I found my new mom. She was like a modern day google. Just ask Dorothy. She handled every situation no problem. Kept all of us from a world of hurt. She loved all of we athletes. No favorites. Treated every one of us special. I would see her off and on over these last years. We are all on the same journey. God Bless you Dorothy Harmon.
Bob Powers
In 1970 I found my way to Wichita from Ohio to play football for the Shockers. That first year was terribly difficult for all of us in 1970. Even though Dorothys heart was breaking with the loss of her boys, friends and colleagues, her courage, strength and ability to find the good and bright side out of a tragic situation was heartwarming. She was our Rock. She taught us to always look forward no matter how hard the present may be, to remember our past and to always love each other with trust in God. Her smile and laugh were contagious. She loved each one of us and we loved her. All of her athletes will always carry a special and warm spot in our hearts for Dorothy. Her legacy lives on in each and everyone of us as we continue this journey called life. While we are sad for our loss, we shall always smile and be grateful for having Dorothy Harmon in our lives for a short while. God was in need of a special angel, so he brought Dorothy home. God Bless the Harmon Family!
Dorothy was like a mother to all of us. If it were not for her several of us would not of made it through school. She was and always will be WSU biggest fan. No.one enjoyed the victories more, or suffered the loses harder than she did. I never knew anyone who had a more positive attitude than she did. I very fortunate to have known her. She was such an inspiration.
Karen, Im very sorry for your lose.
My father was team physician for Shocker athletics from 57-79 and Dorothy was very kind to him. She even asked him to be a doctor on call at some concerts in the Roundhouse. She held the department together after the unfortunate plane crash. She was a tremendous part of the WSU scene. She will be missed.
Dorothy was the rock of the Athletic dept. for many years. Always greeting one with a smile and willing to do what was required for all her “charges”. She is and will remain as one of my fond memories of my time at WSU.
I knew Dorothy during the late 1960s as someone who cared about “her” athletes as total human beings. She wanted them to do well as students, and hired people like me to help them learn how to study. We all loved her.
She was a big part of Coach Garys and my life during our time at WSU. She was always a part of the basketball program and was well liked by all. It was good to see her when I was in Wichita. She looked good and seemed happy.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.