Austin Harmon

AUSTIN HARMON
Austin Harmon, 84, of Kansas City, died on the 12th of March. He is survived by his
wife of over 27 years, Barbara Frasher Harmon of Kansas City, Missouri, son Ross
Harmon of Kansas City, son Wade and wife Janie and grandchildren Robert, Brooke,
and Conrad Harmon of Ft. Myers, Florida, stepson R. Duncan Burnett of Kansas City,
and his brother Wayne Harmon of Bangor, Maine and sister-in-law, Patricia Winstead
of Gainesville, TX, His wife, Phyllis Elizabeth Debus, preceded him in death.

Austin was born in Calais, Maine on February 27, 1927, attended Calais schools
and graduated from Bowling Green, Missouri High School in 1944. He graduated from
the University of Kansas in 1948, and did graduate work at the University of Kansas and
U.M.K.C. During the Korean War he served in the 5th Armored Division at Camp
Chaffee, Arkansas from 1953 to 1955, where he attained the rank of Sergeant.

Together with John Lee Smith, he founded Harmon Smith Advertising Inc. in 1959.
He was president of the firm until they celebrated their 40th anniversary in 1999. Other
affiliations included: Chairman of the American Association of Advertising Agencies
Missouri Council, Chairman of Johnson County Parks and Recreation District Board,
Chairman of the Nelson-Atkins Museum Friends of Art Board, President of the
U.M.K.C. University Associates Board, President of the International Food and Wine
Society, and President of the Vanguard Club. He was at one-time a member of the
Nelson Gallery Business Council and for some years a member of the Nelson Gallery
Society of Fellows, and St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

He was a Board Member of the Carriage Club, Johnson County Airport Commission,
Johnson County Arts and Humanities Council, Kansas City Advertising Club, Kansas
City Museum, Planned Parenthood, U.M.K.C. Board of Trustees, U.M.K.C.
Conservatory of Music, and a member of Rotary Club 13.

He served for ten years as a City Councilman and Park Board Chair of Prairie
Village, Kansas. In 1979 he was elected Mayor of Prairie Village, and served for two
terms. In recognition of his years of public service and contributions to the city's park
system and recreation programs, the park at 78th and Delmar in Prairie Village was
named for him.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be sent to Grace Hospice, 9233
Ward Parkway, Suite 201, K.C., MO 64114. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be
held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 19th at the D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel,
8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, Kansas. Share a memory, sign an online guestbook, or express your
condolences at www.overlandparkchapel.com

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