Obituary of Leon Weston Harman

Leon Weston "Pete" Harman moved on to a better world on November 19, 2014 at 95 years of age. He was born in 1919 in Granger, Utah, the son of David and Grace Harman. Grace died of the flu soon after his birth, at which time her widowed sister, Caroline "Aunt Carrie", took baby Pete to her home. David and Caroline were eventually wed and added Caroline's four surviving children to the mix of Pete, his five brothers, and three sisters. It was a full family that was raised on the family farm. David died when Pete was five years, old and Caroline became the sole child raiser and farm manager. When Pete was sixteen he was lured by the bright lights to San Francisco. He worked as a counterman in a diner, which was the beginning of a lifelong career in the restaurant business. He met and married Arline Hampton, and their son, Barry, was born while they lived in San Francisco. In 1941 they borrowed a car and drove to Salt Lake City to visit Aunt Carrie. During the visit the car was stolen and Pete's brother, Jake, convinced them to buy a shabby diner and stay in Salt Lake. Two years later they added daughter Dawn to the family. When Pete was drafted into the army, Arline kept the restaurant running until his return. In a chance meeting with Col. Harland Sanders in 1953, Pete was introduced to Kentucky Fried Chicken. The Harmans became the first KFC franchisees. The Colonel was the inventor and front man while Pete helped train the new restaurant operators. As times changed, the full service restaurants were replaced by Take-Outs. In 1971, Pete was awarded the Horatio Alger Award for "overcoming adversity through unyielding perseverance and basic moral principles." In 1990, he was named the Food Service Operator of the Year by the International Food Service Manufacturers Association. Pete is survived by son Barry (Elaine), daughter Dawn Cook, grandchildren Tina Florence (Taylor), Todd Harman, Mark Harman (Julie), Kimberly Cook and great grandsons Jake and Sam Florence. Pete was defined by his business acumen, desire to see other people succeed, and philanthropy. He was a much loved, honorable man. We all hope to be remembered that way. The family would like to express our gratitude to Dad's awesome caregivers, Tess, Leslie, Wendy and Jun. They were not only kind and loving, but they were also indispensable. Services will be held in both California and Utah as follows: California Services: Viewing: Sunday, November 30th from 1:00 pm�"3:00 pm Spangler's Mortuary, 399 South San Antonio Rd., Los Altos, CA 94022 Funeral Services: Monday, December 1st at 1:00 pm The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1300 Grant Rd., Los Altos, CA 94024 Utah Services: Viewing: Wednesday, December 3rd from 6:00 pm�"8:00 pm McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Rd., Salt Lake City, UT 84123 Funeral Services: Thursday, December 4th at 1:00 pm Taylorsville Central Stake House, 4950 South 1950 West, Taylorsville, UT In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the donor's charity of choice.




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