Edward Samuel Harmon, a resident of Prineville, passed away Saturday, February 25, 2012 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. He was 75 years of age.

Ed was born to Percy Ray Harmon and Jennet Merion (Smyth) Harmon on Feb 21, 1937 in Saint Maries, Idaho. Ed had eight siblings, Donald, Guelda, Nelda, Margaret, Elmer, Dorothy, Gerald and Robert (died young).

The Harmon family moved to Portland, Oregon when Ed was about three years of age. He attended schools in Portland and graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in 1955.

He married Anita Louise Hanley June 26, 1956 in Portland, Oregon. Ed and Anita had twin boys, John Edward and James Ray who were born May 7, 1957.

In 1953, Ed joined the Oregon Air National Guard and worked on the flight line. He went to basic training and jump school and became a paratrooper. In 1958 he went to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado for Munitions Training. He also attended Explosive Ordnance Disposal School in Indian Head, Maryland, U.S. Army Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Alabana, Nuclear Emergency Team Course at Sandi Base, New Mexico, Jump School, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, automotive mechanic classes, Portland, Oregon as well as other courses needed for his military vocation.

During his militarty and National Guard service he was stationed at Nellis AFB in Nevada, Japan, Thailland, Phillipine Islands, and Vietnam. While in Phu Cat AFB in Vietnam, he stepped on a land mine in 1969 and lost his left foot. After recovering from his amputation and was able to return to duty, he continued his military service with the Oregon Air National Guard in the Motor Pool.

Among his many medals, awards and citations, he received the Fir Force Good Conduct Medal, The Air Force Commendation Medal, Small Arms Marksmanship Medal, Paratrooper Medal, The Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and The Purple Heart. He attended real estate school in Portland, Oregon but did not pursue this occupation for long.

Ed married Charleene Ireland on October 19, 1985 in Reno, Nevada. They made their home in Prineville.

Ed worked as a mechanic for a local rancher and in house construction. He was eventually called back to his favored profession of bomb disposal as a consultant and safety supervisor for various companies to clean-up military bombing ranges in foreign countries and the United States. His passion for this dangerous vocation and parachuting out of perfectly good airplanes, made Ed truly a unique individual. No one will ever be able to wear HIS boots.

He was a member of the Veterens of Foreigh Wars, American Legion Post 29, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of Purple Heart, Elks Lodge #1814, Eagles Aerie #2555, and EOD Master Blasters, Inc.

Ed was preceded in death by his son, John Edward Harmon on January 29, 2012, his parents, four brothers and three sisters.

He is survived by one sister, Guelda Johnson; his wife, Charleene; son, James Ray and Debi (Haas) Harmon; daughter-in-law, Amy (Boe) Harmon; grandchildren, Lindsay and Dan Hill, Nicole Harmon, Taylor Harmon and Dalton Harmon and one great-grandson, Colton Hill; step-children Anthony Martinez, Joseph and Teresa (Crabtree) Martinez, Richard and Annette (McWilliams) Martinez; Ana Maria Martinez; step-grandchildren Benny Burnett, Jesse and Stevie Martinez, Chad and Beca Martinez, Richard Martinez, Casey Martinez, Felisha White, and Jeremy White. He had five step-great-grandchildren and many neices and nephews.

A celebration of life Irish Wake was held at the VFW/American Legion Vets Club on March 10th at 1:00 in the afternoon. Family and friends were all welcome to attend. Interment was held at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon on March 13 (his proclaimed lucky number) at 1:30 p.m.

Donations in Ed's name can be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans or Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Autumn Funeral Home in Redmond was in charge of the arrangements.