Michelle Garst and Britt Harmon have served customers at Harmon Truck Insurance for 23 years and 29 years, respectively. Harmon will retire November 9, 2018.

Ted and Sam Harmon started Harmon Truck Insurance in 1962. Their son, Britt, joined the business November 9, 1989.

“It could be said that I didn’t have much ‘craft’ in the early days. Lucky for me my ambition far outweighed my talent and I was surrounded by some great teachers and fine people,” said Britt. “Mom, Dad and Sharon Groff in the early years. Michelle Garst came to work with us in 1995 for what was to be a temporary summer job until she found the teaching job she wanted. Terri Gray came to work with us in 2008. Mom and Dad retired in 2009 after a long and very successful business partnership and career.”

Fast forward 29 years for Britt and 23 years for Michelle – and the two are in unfamiliar territory. Britt will retire on November 9, 2018.

Britt commented, “I have been extremely fortunate to have been surrounded by the brightest, most loyal, hard working people there are, doing a job few could do at the highest level of proficiency and professionalism, including Ted Harmon, Sam Harmon, Sharon Groff, Michelle Garst and Terri Gray. My debt to all of you? Gratitude. Gratitude for doing the real work and allowing me to take the credit. I am humbled and thankful that you all believed in me when many didn’t.”

Britt also thanks his wife, Natalie, for putting up with him, the stress and work he brought home, and the many late night/early morning phone calls reporting accidents and, in some cases, fatalities. “She never questioned a bit of it. I also want to thank her for believing in me, believing I had a plan and allowing me to pursue it,” he said.

“Someone once said, ‘It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that lead us to fortune or failure.’ I have expected and experienced both,” Britt said. “What a journey this has been for me. I was able to stay in my hometown and make a living at something I was good at and enjoyed. And the icing on the cake? I got to do it with people I cared about and respected and who respected and cared about me. I have no regrets. I am the luckiest man in the world.”

Britt expressed sincere thanks to all of his clients, associates past and present, friends, his parents, and to some people who were very inspirational and influential in his life and may not even be aware of it. Some he never got to tell. In no particular order, they are: Steve “Crazy Horse” Davis, Wilma Davis, Kristie Hale, Gertrude Mulvania, Richard “Dick” Miller, James and Wilma Watts, Clarence Callahan, Sharon Gaines, Ronnie Harmon, Walter Mulvania, Kelly Daugherty, Sr., Bill Andrews, Steve Scamman, Audley Jackson, Sr., Roger Livengood and Tom Nash. “Thank you to some for teaching me by the example you set and to some for always being in my corner regardless of the circumstance. Thank you to some for both.”

Britt also expressed his great appreciation of and admiration for Michelle Garst. “She has been my best friend and confidant for 23 years. In 23 years there has never been a cross word between us. Not even a disagreement. It has made me a better person just being around her. Except for the support of my Mom and Dad and meeting and marrying Natalie, working with and having a friend like Michelle has been the most special and enduring honor of my life.”

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay awhile, make footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same.” (Flavia Weedn)