Wendell Harbison

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Wendell E. Harbison of Farmington passed away Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, at Parkland Health Center at the age of 77.

He was born Aug. 25, 1927, in Granite City, Ill., son of Earl and Elsie Cozart Harbison.

Mr. Harbison was employed by McDonnell-Douglas Corp. in St. Louis, where he worked in the Gemini space program and as an aircraft assembler. While there he earned a quality award for designing a special tool for use on spacecraft construction.

He was a member of Farmington Church of the Nazarene, Farmington VFW Post 5896, and a regular at Farmington Senior Center. His friends and family will remember him for his sense of humor, mechanical talents, gardening abilities, and sketching skills.

He was a Seabee with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was part of a group of naval personnel who participated in the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946.

Survivors include a son, Gary Harbison and wife Catherine of Jefferson City, Mo.; a daughter, Evelyn G. LeGrand of Denver, Colo.; a sister, Sandra Crowe of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren; Jason J. LeGrand of Denver, Wesley B. Harbison, Rebecca Evelyn Harbison, William P. Harbison and Samuel F. Harbison, all of Jefferson City; and his sweetheart, Helen Ledbetter of Farmington. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and cherished friends also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alene Haywood Harbison; two brothers, Winfred and Norman; and a sister, Patricia.

The funeral was held Friday at Cozean Memorial Chapel, with the Rev. Mel Skeen officiating. Burial with military honors was in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association or the Democratic National Party.