Obituary

Leon Weston "Pete" Harman moved on November 19, 2014 at 95 years of age.
Pete was born in 1919 in Granger, Utah the son of David and Grace Harman. Pete and his five brothers and three sisters were raised on the family farm. His mother, Grace, died of the flu soon after his birth. Grace's widowed sister, Caroline, took baby Pete to her home. David and Caroline were wed and added Caroline's four surviving children to the mix. 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 of 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 they had their son, Barry, while in San Francisco.
In 1941, they drove to Salt Lake City on vacation. While there they ran across a shabby diner for sale which they bought. Thus began the Do Drop Inn the beginning of Harman Cafes. By 1953 they had expanded to two restaurants. In a chance meeting with Col. Harland Sanders he was introduced to Kentucky Fried Chicken. The Harmans became the first franchisees. The Colonel was the inventor and front man while Pete helped train new franchisees. Times changed and the 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 Manufacturer 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 indispensable and Hospice of the Valley, who made everything easier.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 4th, 1:00 p.m. at the Taylorsville Central Stake Center, 4950 South 1950 West. A viewing will be held Thursday at the church, 11am - 12:30 pm. Private family entombment will follow the services. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.