I N M EM OR I AM
Glen Anderson Glen Anderson, 88, professor emeritus of reading, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, in Warrensburg. He served on the education faculty for 17 years, retiring in 1987. He was born in Bolivar, the son of Ezra Vivian and Mary Lucinda Neuhart Anderson. After graduating from Bolivar High School, he earned an A.A. degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, a B.S. in teacher education from Missouri State University in Springfield and an M.S. from Drury College in Springfield. After completing an education specialist degree from UCM, he joined the faculty. From 1987-2001, he served as a teacher, administrator and grant writer on a Navajo reservation in Many Farms, AZ. He wrote a number of published articles on reading education and was editor of the International Reading Association Journal, Missouri Council. Memorials are suggested to the Children’s Literature Festival, UCM Foundation, Smiser Alumni Center, Warrensburg, MO 64093 or online to ucmo.edu/giveonline, noting the gift designation.
Lillian Rages Barrick Lillian Rages Barrick, 92, retired registrar, died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center. She was born Nov. 13, 1922, daughter of the late Charles Louis Rages, Sr. and Gertrude L. (Fischer) Rages. She graduated from Hughesville High School in 1940 and continued her education at UCM, earning a master’s degree in education in 1967. From 1943 to 1948, she was an education assistant and later the registrar at then CMSU. Her 30-year education career included 25 years with the Sedalia School District as counselor and director of guidance services.
Ruth Bond Ruth Edna Bond, 105, an alumna and generous donor of the university, died Wednesday, Oct. 15 in Warrensburg. She was born July 30, 1909, in Otterville, MO, the daughter of Samuel and Bettie (Wear) Henderson. She received a B.S. degree in 1941 from then Central Missouri State Teachers College and in 1966 completed a master’s degree from Central Missouri State College. She taught for 34 years in the Missouri public school system until her retirement in 1975.
HARMON COLLEGE NAMESAKE DIES AT AGE 95
ADRIAN HARMON, 95, one of Warrensburg’s most successful businessmen, civic leaders and philanthropists who helped to shape the city, county and university, died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, in Largo, FL. An estate gift from he and his wife, Margaret, who preceded him in death, established the university’s Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies. He was born July 6, 1919, on a farm in Lafayette County, MO, to Walter Alonzo and Bonnie Wilson Harmon. After graduating from College High in 1938, he attended the university for three years, leaving during his senior year when his father died and he had to operate the family farm. After leaving the farm, the Harmons started their lives as entrepreneurs, starting with a livestock trucking company, then branching into a farm machinery and auto dealership in Odessa. They moved to Warrensburg in 1949 and bought the Ford dealership, selling it to purchase the controlling interest in Citizens Bank. From that stock purchase in 1953, they eventually acquired controlling interest in banks in Warrensburg, Lamar, Liberal, Stover and Kansas City, as well as a successful mortgage business in Springfield. The family formed Central Mortgage Bancshares, Inc. and continued to expand, acquiring the Citizens Bank of Nevada, MO. Through a public offering, they expanded into the Kansas City, MO, market. In 1995, the Harmons accepted an offer to merge with Mercantile Bancorp of St. Louis. Their business history also includes co-founding, owning and operating Bi-Lo Supermarket. Harmon’s life as a philanthropist was exemplary. He helped to build the UCM Foundation, joining its Board of
Directors in 1991 and staying active as an emeritus member. In 1995, he received the university’s Distinguished Service Award and in 2004, he and Margaret were inducted into the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame. Harmon attended his first Mules game in 1929 and in 1949, the couple became season ticket holders. They were charter members of the Mule Train Athletic Club. In the days before residence halls, they frequently opened their home, located near campus, to student athletes and loaned their personal airplane to coaches for recruitment trips. Their generosity established and supported many scholarships on campus, benefiting both undergraduate and graduate students, especially those in Harmon College. The Harmons believed in supporting the Warrensburg community where they raised their family and grew their business. Their generosity also extended to Powell Gardens where Adrian served on the Board of Directors, helped to provide the first trolley and supported the Island and Heartland Harvest gardens. They also supported the American Legion Missouri Boys State held annually on the UCM campus. In addition, Harmon was a 50-year member of the Corinthian Masonic Lodge #265, a life member of Elks Lodge #673, a Paul Harris Fellow of the Warrensburg Rotary Club and an active community volunteer. Survivors include his sons, Lynn Harmon and wife Jacqueline; Tommy D. Harmon and wife Muffet; and daughter, Deborah Harmon Rankin; eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Memorials are suggested to the Adrian and Margaret Harmon Business Graduate Scholarship, UCM Foundation, Smiser Alumni Center, Warrensburg, MO 64093.
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