By Marie McCain
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MASON - Thomas D. Harmon spent more than half his life ensuring that others had the gift of sight, and a significant understanding of its value.

But through it all, he put his family and friends first.

An avid golfer, educator, and former elected official, Mr. Harmon succumbed to pancreatic cancer Nov. 27. He was 67.

Born in Indianapolis and raised in Pleasant Ridge, he worked as an optometrist for 44 years. In 1998, he retired from full-time practice, cutting back to part-time during the past five years.

A 1954 graduate of what has since become Purcell Marian High School, he attended Xavier University for two years. In 1959, he graduated from the Ohio State University School of Optometry.

He began his career as an optometrist in Covington, eventually settling in Sharonville, where he opened his own practice in 1961.

He married his high school sweetheart, Mary. Together for 46 years, they had six children.

"He didn't know a stranger," said daughter, Dorothy Eveleigh, of Indianapolis. "Family and friends were very important to him. He had friendships that lasted for more than 60 years. He was also very proud of his three daughters and three sons. He had a ready-made foursome with my brothers."

Mr. Harmon also had a great love for golf. He was a past member of the Belwood Country Club in Morrow, and at the time of his death still maintained a membership at the Golf Center of Kings Island.

He was a past president of the Cincinnati Optometric Association, the Sharonville Kiwani, and the Sharonville Businessman's Association.

He was also a member of the Sharonville Republican Club and the St. Michael's Men's Club, and he served as secretary of the Sharonville Board of Health for three years.

From 1969 to 1973, he served as a Sharonville city council member.

Besides his wife, Mary, and daughter, Dorothy Eveleigh, five other children survive him: Linda Burgdorf, of Sharonville, Thomas L. Harmon, of Dublin, Ohio, Lisa Rousseau, of Deerfield Township, David L. Harmon, of Sharonville, and Daniel Harmon, of Liberty Township; a brother, David F. Harmon, of Hyde Park; and 19 grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Monday at Schmidt Dhonau Funeral Home, 10980 Reading Rd., in Sharonville.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8815 E. Kemper Rd., in Montgomery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Cincinnati, Inc., c/o Bethesda Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 710784, Cincinnati, 45271, and PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network), 221 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 131, El Segundo, Calif. 90245.

E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com