Thomas Cecil Harman

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Thomas “Tommy” Cecil Harman walked into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 28, 2022, after a battle with cancer.

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; 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 1 a.m. on Monday, May 2, 2022 at Lexington Baptist Church with interment to follow at Lexington Memorial Cemetery. The family received friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel.

Memorials may be made to Lexington Baptist Church Missions Fund or Lexington Sertoma Club.