Larry Dale Harmon, 86, of Dawson, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn, one day shy of his 87th birthday.

Larry was born on March 11, 1939, in the Nim City area, to William “Bill” Harmon and Pearl Elizabeth (Jarred) Harmon. He was baptized at Prairie Union Baptist Church. Though he was born and remained deeply rooted in the Southeast Nebraska ground he loved all his life, Larry was never a man who sat still. He lived just a mile from where he was born, but his near 87 years took him far beyond home through work and travel that stretched across the country.

He grew up in the Honey Creek area where he went to school. Larry helped his father farm until the family sold the farm in 1960. He took these skills he learned on the farm as a mechanic to Morehead Chevrolet dealership in Falls City. He later worked at the Dawson Co-op Elevator. In 1966, he began the work that would become an important part of his life when he joined John Deere Implement, eventually relocating to Lamesa, TX where he worked for Bray Implement. Over the years, he worked his way up from mechanic to service manager to sales manager, building a reputation for taking care of people. After owning the Dawson Café for a time in the 1980s and operating a gas station in Peru, he returned to his passion and moved back to Texas and worked at a John Deere dealer. He worked with John Deere until his retirement in 2001. Larry didn’t slow down. He continued working on tractors with his good friend Lynn Whitten.

On May 25, 1958, Larry married Judy Marsh, whom he had known since childhood. Together, they had two sons, Lyle and Matthew, building a family that remained the core of his life.

Larry was known for his mechanical ability, his love of tractor pulling and motorcycles and his passion for fishing and the outdoors. While living in West TX he helped organize what became the Texas Tractor Pulling Association.

Larry liked to laugh, have fun, and share a good story after a hard day’s work. He was also a loving grandfather and great-grandfather. He took pride in his grandchildren and the lives they built.

Survivors include his wife, Judy; sons and daughters-inlaw, Lyle and Rhonda Harmon and Matt and Amy Harmon, all of Dawson; grandchildren, Nikki and Brian McKim of Falls City, Cori and Heath Christiansen of Auburn, Hannah and Andrew Asbury of Parkville, MO, and Rex Harmon and Gracie Hansen of Vermillion, SD; great-grandchildren, Alex McKim, Lucy, Olive and Henry Christiansen and Dani Asbury; sister, Peggy Harmon of Falls City; along with other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William “Bill” and Pearl Harmon; siblings, Bill Harmon, Helen Iliff, Clara Hollister, Bob Harmon, Kenny Harmon and Donna Harmon.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Nemaha Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association.