[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 82 (Friday, May 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THOMAS CECIL HARMAN OBITUARY

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                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2022

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record 
the following obituary for Thomas ``Tommy'' Cecil Harman.
       Tommy was the loving husband of Bobbie Sue Harman with whom 
     he celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on January 1, 
     2022. He was the father of Andrea Harman Duncan (Mark) and 
     Jason Thomas Harman (Christina). His six grandchildren, whom 
     he loved and cherished, are Abbie and Austin Duncan and 
     McElson, Madison, Jase, and Jacob Harman. He is also survived 
     by loving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, loving nieces 
     and nephews, a special aunt and uncle, and many dear friends. 
     He was predeceased by his parents, Layman and Ganelle Harman 
     and brother, Archie L. Harman.
       Tommy was born on December 6, 1950. He attended Lexington 1 
     schools and then Clemson University where he graduated in 
     1973 with a degree in Financial Management. He was employed 
     by the Lexington State Bank from 1973-1995 where he was vice-
     president, loan officer, and in human resources. He was then 
     President and CEO of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce from 
     1995-1999 and later head of public relations for Pond Branch 
     Telephone Company (PBT Telecom), which later became 
     Comporium, until his retirement in 2015.
       Tommy tirelessly served his family, community, and church. 
     He has been a member of Lexington Baptist Church for 50 years 
     where he served terms as a deacon, served on the kindergarten 
     and stewardship committees, was a former church treasurer, 
     former children's Sunday school teacher, and a faithful 
     servant in many other ways.
       Tommy was the charter president of the Lexington Sertoma 
     Club, where he remained a member and leader for 45 continuous 
     years. He led many fundraising projects including his idea of 
     celebrating ``Big Thursday'' with Carolina and Clemson fans 
     each October. The club has been able to provide funding for 
     speech and hearing projects and help the community of 
     Lexington through this event.
       Tommy headed up the Lexington Community Committee ``Power 
     Up Lunch'' for businesses from 2003 to 2013. He served 
     several terms on the Board of Directors for the Batesburg-
     Leesville and Lexington Chambers of Commerce. He was a former 
     member of the Batesburg-Leesville Rotary Club and the Gilbert 
     Ruritan Club. He was also a 1997 Leadership Lexington 
     graduate.
       Because of his community work, Tommy received numerous 
     awards. Among these are the 2015 State of South Carolina 
     Order of the Silver Crescent, the A. L. Harman award by the 
     Lexington Chamber of Commerce, and the Lexington Sertoma Club 
     Achievement Award.
       Tommy loved helping coach his son Jason's baseball and 
     basketball teams. He greatly enjoyed Clemson sporting events 
     with family and friends. He loved traveling and especially 
     enjoyed planning trips. He was proud of the fact that he had 
     visited 54 National Parks and every state in the United 
     States. He loved to take his family and friends to show them 
     the beautiful parks and God's handiwork. He truly loved life 
     and he loved living it. More than anything else, he loved 
     Jesus Christ and wanted everyone to know about the power of 
     God's saving grace.
       Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 
     2, 2022 at Lexington Baptist Church with interment to follow 
     at Lexington Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive 
     friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, at Caughman-
     Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel.

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