Harman has worked the morning news show since April 1999. He is survived by his wife, Monica, and daughter, Avery. He was 41.
UPDATE: Fox 4 issued a statement on Harman's death on its website. Fox 4 President and General Manager Cheryl McDonald said: “We are very saddened by this tragic loss. Don wasn’t just our Meteorologist, he was a part of our family and we loved him. Words cannot express how deeply he will be missed.”
The statement on the website continued: "Don brightened our mornings for more than 10 years and he made his mark on Kansas City television. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and we ask that in this time of sorrow that you respect them and their need for privacy in their moment of grief."
Harman's bio on the Fox 4 website ways he grew up in Ohio interested in weather and "knew weather would be an important part of his future" during a late-'70s blizzard.
Harman graduated from Miami University in Ohio with a bachelor of science degree in aeronautics and a minor in geography. He started his career as a meteorologist at WTAP-TV in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He moved to KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa, in 1994. He also worked at WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia, prior to joining Fox 4.
Harman's forecasts at Fox 4 were punctuated with his quirky humor.
Fox 4 responded to an outpouring of questions on Twitter and Facebook with this message on its Facebook page and during its 4:30 a.m. broadcast:
Good morning.
We know many of you have questions.
We appreciate your concern, and we consider you our friends.
But please remember that family comes first.
We're honoring that right now, and we ask that you join us in that.
Please bear with us for a little while longer.
-Loren & Mark
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People just dont get it...
When u cant say something NICE Dont say anything at all.
Theres a million things going on in my mind but Im not gonna say them because when it really comes down to it...I really dont know. I am sad about it and whatever truth needs to come out I pray it does.
I think that those who claim to believe in God, yet cast stones upon Don, ought suffer as he did in the afterlife.
Everybody wants to talk about god. What a load of crap. Don was a coward that left his beautiful daughter without a father for the rest of her life. It takes a sorry son of a bitch to do something like that. I love my children more than Anything and have lived my life to be the best father I can be to them. It takes a low down piece of scum to do this to a little child.
if you have never had to deal w/ depression or addiction than you can't very well start judging other you don't understand. in these situations nothing is more important than the troubles in your head. if your about to commit suicide clearity isn't your strong point. Don appeared to be a great guy on tv but thats all anyone knew of him. trying to keep up an image could have pushed him to the brink. who knows!
It amazes me how people judge. Who are you to judge anyone for anything they do? While you sit in judgement there may be someone in your life in pain -who could use your strength to feel stronger and make it through. If we lose them because you are judging-who will you blame?
I agree that to leave a child is a choice most difficult to understand but if you do not know all of the information in a situation -and in this one how could you?- leave it alone. Choose not to judge.
He was recently questioned in the disappearance of a former co worker in Mason City Iowa. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content… They worked together. About 2 weeks before he killed himself, it was said on the radio that a "well known local weather guy is involved in some kind of sexual misconduct" by a sports guy on 98.9 in the morning. Wonder if there is any connection? Dont know if he was talking about Don..
And for the mayor to call Dec 17 "Don Harman Day" is appalling. Im sorry - when it become great to celebrate a man being so weak that he kills himself and leaves his child fatherless. His life may have not been worth living but his daughters was, and he is a coward and a jerk for doing that to his little girl. Depression sucks. Yes, I know. But suicide is the most selfish thing you can do...
Bullying Co-Workers with Big Egoss were not sensitive to Don who had a tender heart and sensitive soul. I hope they can live with themselves!
I'll sure miss you Don. You are a HUGE loss to this world. I'm so sorry you didn't feel the love when you were here. I hope that you're at peace now.
It is ironic how much privacy and respect the media wants, when it is a member of "their family", that was lost, while they show so little of either, when it isn't. I feel for Don's family. My heart goes out to them, just as it does to all the families that have felt lose, and has to deal with the media.
@ steve Jolinski nice plug for your business by leaving your number and website....poor taste.
I hardly can't believe that Don Harman would do something like this!! The guy had a lot to live for. He must have been comfortable financially and was married with children. He shouldn't have used a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I sure hope God has mercy on his soul. I am not sure exactly how God can have mercy except that a person accepts the Person of Jesus Christ. I hope Don accepted Christ long ago. He was an interesting character to watch on FOX4KC. I pray for Mark Alford and the whole crew. Hopefully this will be a catalyst fpr the members of the news crew to think on deeper things and what comes after their lives.
steve jolinski
(816)984-7121
www.kansascitycomputers.com
It's sad to think he felt his only way out was to take his own life expecially when he did nothing wrong. If the rumors are true the man his wife had the affair with should also be exposed. He's as guilty as she is.
It takes one hell of a man to take his own life. Tom & Candy
commiting suicied is not a one way ticket stright to hell.If you believe that you need to read a bible sometime and reserch a little before you make such an ignorant comment. Don was a great man and regardless of when or why he did this kansas city loved him and will be there for his wife and child.
Well if his wife was having an affair and it sent him over the edge, fuck that cunt! Hopefully, the cheating bitch will regret her life for cheating on him.
teddymutilator, God provided help in many ways to Don, through friends and family, but we all have free will to accept the help or not. So God in His mercy let Don choose to go home.
I am ashamed that people can not give a person family to to greive before you throw accusations about an affair. Shame on you!!! Don may you be with God now
May God rest his soul and give him safe passage to eternal life! I did not personally know Don but enjoyed his show immensely and considered him my friend.
Joe Dakota
I am sad to say that somehow I recognized the sadness and a quiet anger in Don. Perhaps because I had seen it so many times before in a few of my own family members dealing with depression. I watch Don often wondering if his humor was a cover for his pain. I felt his sensitivity and sense of correctness in the world. Maybe I was just projecting . The point is this: If I sensed something was off about Don, I am sure that some of the people that worked with Don and some of his friends and family member did also. We must reach out to people when we feel they may need help and not always wait for them to ask for help. My heart goes out to Don's family and friends. Don may you RIP.
To all those downvoting the comment regarding Dons wife having an affair:
Why must you ignore the problems affairs cause?
Cheating on your spouse is one of most horrific, soul crushing things you can to to another who has love for you.
If you dont like your marriage, fine. Don't go chasing some strange, before dealing with your unhappiness like an adult. Give your partner the respect and dignity they deserve.
Take care of your business, separate and get a divorce.
Think before you act.
His wife is a horrible person and her life will be a living hell knowing she drove Don to self destruct. All because she thought she had to get some strange to make herself feel better.
I have moved away from the viewing area and just found out tonight what happened. WOW What a shocker!! Don was the reason that I watched the news. I was theye watching when he first came on the scene till we moved four years ago. My 78 yr old mother watched him faithfully and was her reason to get up and watch the weather early in the morning. He was or showed himself to be a very giving man. His humor was a little off the wall but that just made him more interesting to watch.
Rest n peace Don, you were loved by many, and your family will be watched over. Just remember that when you only see one set of foot prints, that is when god was carrying you.
We all dont have any ideias of what is going on in our own homes. we all have a story and life and even if we have public show or public job where al know us, it no , actors, actris, rich poor no matter who r black, white, green, blue pwe all have our own issues. the sad part is that we all feel we could helped him, but we are so closed up any more we all hide our feelings true deep stories, this is what i see in people. We all know how he maybe died, becouse he did not know to deal with pain. and we can help others with that, that means he was lonley and he needed some one, he hided in his funny ways to be, but he was really hurting and did know what to do. I dont know why but i care about him and feel him for a long time. God bless his soul.............Mia
I watch Don every morning for the weather update and found his sense of humor to wonderful and refreshing...his choice of music usually left me laughing, remembering good times or just rockin out to some great tunes durning his morning updates...He will be sadly missed her in KC and my heart felt prayers to his family. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins...well he did the same for Don. God does not forsake his children. And I believe that whatever pain he may have been suffering here on earth is no longer there. He will know happiness and joy...for he is reunited with our Heavenly Father!! I wish him well...God Speed!!!
I HOPE IT WAS NOT AN AFFAIR DISCOVERD. I ALMOST KILLED MYSELF THE SAME WAY. SO SAD
Gerald Guathier you need to get a life and respect Don!!! He was an AMAZING man! Obiously he suffered throughout his life and all he wanted was happiness, not to be out of this s***hole!
may god be with his family and friends and we miss you Don
Maybe there will be more attention paid to this disease called Depression because of this tragedy.
The weather on Fox 4 will never be the same. Don was a man that can never be replaced. They can fill the position but can't fill the whole his loose has caused. I meet Don at a home show right before he got married. His now wife was with him. I said hi and he stopped and visited with us for a few minutes. He was a very loving and caring man. My prayers go out to the family and his friends. Truly what a loose to us all as part of his Fox 4 family as loyal watchers. Don is now at peace from a terrible illnes of depression. God Bless you Don. We all will miss you!
This occurence just goes to let everyone out there know that when u feel like ur at an all time low that u need to talk to someone, anyone to realease ur pain. you cannot keep it inside or it will eat at you. It is such a tragedy for such an amazing man to leave this world, but now is the times for each and everyone of us to stand together-united, instead of apart because more tragedies will befall us if we do not. Much love&much sympathy
I'm pretty sure people who commit suicide don't make it to the pearly gates... too bad "God" didn't help him out... I mean... God says he knows ALL things... so... He let him die. Right? Yeah... it's hard to tip-toe around that little religious issue isn't it? He is in peace though... that's what happens when you die. You die. That's it. I'm sure he was a super smart guy. Far too caring for his own good. People who commit suicide usually are. Too bad the world sucks too much. The world isn't good enough for people like him and so many others. Sad deal... but I get it.
I always found Don Harmon's witt the topping to the morning show. Before Don it was like potatoes with no gravy, Don put the gravy on what I reffered to as Mark's dry humor. I also enjoyed hearing what project he had worked on during the weekend. I will truly miss his morning antics. RIP Don and Prayers go out to your Wife and Daughter.
My family LOVED Don Harman! We are so sad to hear of his sudden and tragic death. Our prayers are with his Wife,daughter, and father. I think it had to be very difficult for his family life when Fox added the 4:30am morning news to their program. Don was a hard and dedicated man. We tuned in every morning to get our dose of Don for the day. He was the reason we watched fox 4. We love you Don! Heaven will be a little more lively with you there. May Gods strength be with your family.
To Fox News
I truly am lost for words, My sister was murdered in 98 and I can remember the detectives keeping information from us due to the investigation. It was like an empty void that consumed my family! we were not givin details about what had happened and it left us so emotionally disconnected with the rest of the world. after several weeks and an arrest was made, the detectives finaly released the details and it was as if an elephant had been lifted from my chest. a small piece of closure as to her demise had given us the ability to move on to the next stage of the mourning process.
I Respect dons family but I feel that what Fox doesnt understand is we viewers were also part of his family too. We viewers are at loss for what had happened and are not able to process this without feeling betrayed by fox for withholding details that would allow us greiving veiwers to move on the the next level of our own grieving process. Do as you feel you must but understand that we as veiwers are completely at a loss also!
I was eleven when I moved away from Missouri. I always missed Don's humor. Now to find he's dead is just heartbreaking. Out of all the places I've lived in my 16 years, he was by far my favorite weatherman.
I moved to Kansas City just 6 years ago and within a couple of months I found Fox 4 news and Don's wonderful way of presenting the weather. He always made it interesting and understandable. I'll miss him and his humor. Don's humor might have been a cover for his depression.
I had a dear friend and high school classmate who commited suicide because of depression at about the same age as Don. I had considered him my best friend in high school. Like Don, you would have thought he had it all. In high school he was the president of the student council and the valedictorian. Then he went to a prestigious school on a National Merit Scholarship and recieved a degree in engineering. He had a wonderfull wife and two children. He stayed in the town where we grew up while I had moved away. We kept in touch via letters for a long time, and then his letters just stopped, and I found out about his death.
I ask everyone to read up on depression, and if you see a loved one or friend exhibiting the signs of being seriously depressed, please try to get them help.
Wow KansasCity01 is a moran. Suicide is a selfish act, however you leaving commments about how much of an idiot he was will hurt his family. Why don't you put yourself in their shoes and next time choose to shut the **** up!
I was so very sad to hear about Don and the one consolation I felt was a message within a sympathy card I recently sent to a friend who lost her father. It read: "When you feel sad about your loss - look up at the stars tonight and think of them as porch lights welcoming your loved one home". I will think of him in that way. I send my sincere condolences to the Fox 4 Team and Don's Family - we all will miss him.
Saddened by this loss of life. What a wonderfully funny sense of humor Don had and shared with viewers. I wonder if Don knew so many people had such nice thoughts of him? I'm going to be sure and pass on my positive thoughts of others in hopes that they realize how much they are appreciated while alive!
My condolences to Don's loved ones.
Don was loved by most people who watched him. He was the neighbor of our close friends and their relationship was akin to that of family -- very caring and close. Don was at several get-togethers we attended and was always quiet - never seeking attention, but humorous and interesting. He loved his wife and daughter very much and what has struck me the most is how much pain he must have been in from this constant battle with depression. Don is the second man in the past 6 weeks in our sphere of acquaintances who has committed suicide and the shock, hurt, and pain of not being able to help someone who is in so much pain is the worst part. Both men struggled with depression and underwent years of treatment, which indicates how horrible this medical condition can be. Both left children they loved dearly. Our hearts go out to Monica and Avery and the rest of Don's family as well as our friends who were entwined in their lives. Don's legacy is that he was truly loved by thousands who did not personally know him. Few men leave such a beautiful memory.
To the guy who was flipping about about the guy's kids - do you not think this wasn't a man in severe pain? If he could have went on don't you think he would have? Depression is complete pain and hopelessness - period. You're trite little sniglet of righteous reason has no place here.
This might be a good time to address the suicide risks in males, the rates of which are hitting all new highs with the rates of boys as young as age 5 doing it. Up until the turn of the century, the suicide risks for preadolescent males was no greater than that of females, but that has now change, with the young boys now committing suicide far more often. Here is something I have write on it.
http://squidoo.com/DepressionInMen-Fathers
Out Reach Programs for depression target mostly women, and even the counseling itself id designed to address the needs of women, rather than males, though males commit suicide far more often. The argument that it is needed because females attempt it more often would be moot if the males were not far more committed to going through with it.
I just started watch Fox morning news online in Atlanta, GA 10 days ago and became hooked. I was shocked to hear the news. It was clear from the short time I watched him, he was a standout and a star. I almost couldn't believe it because I just learned everyone's name. I said 'Don?? maybe I got the names mixed up'. Sadly, it was him.
What a shock!!!! Was anyone watching the news just yesterday morning when Don Harman seemed to be SERIOUSLY upset with Mark Alford about something? Paraphasing: Don Harmon told Mark Alford that he was so upset/angry with him that he (Don) didn't want to say anything to him (Mark) right now, b/c if he say anything to Mark it really won't be be pretty or good. Mark Alford kinda shrugged Don off; but Don looked extremely upset and not very pleased with him. I thought that was really strange behavior for Don Harman. Then, after work the same day, he goes home and kills himself. WEIRD. Sometimes ppl play, rib, tease or joke around so much and say or do things to another person who is seriously hurting inside or clinically depressed; and if you are truly a person's good friend, you should notice signs of behaviorial changes in them. The news about Don Harman was just so horrible. It's like you can't really believe it; cause you just gotta keep changing news channels to make sure the other news channels are reporting the same sad news. I remember when he 1st started on Fox 4 and arragant Johnny Rowland was very rude to Don Harman one morning. A big truck that was hauling live pigs had overturned on the freeway; and pigs were sterned all over the area. Some had died; others were alive or barely alive. Johnny (from the FOX 4 helicopter) made a mean comment to Don Harman (who had just move to KC) asking Don which one of those pigs down there was his (Don's) girlfriend. I just had to send an email to Johnny asking him did his father teach him such terrible pompous manners; that he does not have to blow out another person's candle just so his candle will glow brighter; and to please give Don an opportunity to get settled into the vibe of everyone first. How mean and rude; and was so-oooooo.... NOT FUNNY or COOL at all!!! Just a few weeks later Johnny Rowland had left FOX 4 and was working for KMBC 9 News. Seems many other ppl commented to him about treating Don Harman so terrible on the air. How can ppl mistreat grown colleagues so rude just b/c they seem quiet, or geekish to them? It simply proof that their parents raised them better; to be respectful to EVERYBODY and to never over-tease ppl. Mark Alford you're an okay guy, but sometimes you can go absolutely too far, man!!!! Just b/c you're happy, other's may be hurting with depression and all you can see on the exterior is them smiling/laughing. Take the time to listen and keen-in on their feelings sometimes. Take care.
We have watched Don since he first came to Fox News our thoughts and prayers are with his family and also the Fox News family. He will be missed
I think it's wrong for the station not to reveal his cause of death. If it were one of the public, they would have their business all over the news along with the cause.
I Have Watched Don Harman ever Since I Can Remember, And Losing Him is A GREAT lose To Everyone In The Kanas city Community!!!!! It Was just Monday Morning That I Watch Him And Mark On The Air. He Will Truly Be Missed, And My Heart Goes Out To The Family That I Know That This May Come To Them As A Huge SURPRISE. Don Kansas city Kansas Will truly Miss You!!!!
Dear Monica,
I did not know Don personally, but as others have stated - he will be greatly missed!! He was the prize in the cereal box when you turned on the TV in the morning. The music he played took me back in time and made me feel good. He gave a sense of warmth, like a good friend. We could count on him to be there for us. (Tears) I am so sorry! I wish I had met him. If he touched my life this way through a TV, I can't imagine what it would have been like to know him.
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