The men were killed instantly.12, About two years after Harmon Dobsons death, on July 10, 1969, Grace Dobson, the wife of Harmon Dobson, was officially elected chairwoman of the board with George W. Garrison named as the president. There was a festive atmosphere in first class that. By the end of 1936, he had a net worth of $35,000. GREAT NEWS! By the late eighties the company had begun to lose its way. His mother, Louise, and his sister, Kathy Reese, ran the business until Louise died, in 2005, leaving Reese in charge. By March 5, the couple was married. I never knew anything about the man who created it and i found it hilarious that he wanted people to say what a burger! The likeness of Andrews, wearing a cowboy hat and mounted on a limestone pedestal, was commissioned to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the oldest franchise of the iconic Texas burger chain. Dobson wanted to increase the price of a burgerfrom 25 to 30 cents. Eventually, Jim Peterson became the new CEO, but he left a negative impact on the company. Its hard to ignore a burger that makes you say What a Burger!. Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3151 Reid Drive. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. In 1969, Grace became chairman of the board. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. However, after only four months, Dobson grew restless and returned to the U.S. By August of that year, he returned home. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Normally, they look at me skeptically as if to say,Yeah, Right!! Whataburger had commissioned the "Flying W" company logo and had expanded to 40 locations in four states. [3][2], In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson, a widow with a five-year-old son. Thats what made me mad, made me want to fight, Grace told biographers. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Learn more about merges. After the settlement, the leadership of both companies changed. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks celebrated a ground-breaking ceremony with Grace throwing out the first pitch. Andrews developed a close relationship with Dobson; he even coined the companys popular slogan, We build a bigger, better burger., Today, those oversized burgers and the promise of fresh ingredients generate annual sales of $1.8 billion, making Whataburger the thirty-third-largest restaurant chain in the countryand the second-largest founded and based in Texas, after Chilis. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. With his massive profits, he dabbled in oil speculation and mining diamonds in South America. Failed to remove flower. Treating our customers right. "I considered myself lucky to be a friend of Grace. Dobson wrote about this difficulty in his journal: Late May, 1950- Landed back in Midland April 21 to find that Henry Mode, my oil partner, had begun drinking again. Franchisees and the parent company squabbled over products and promotions, and the once familial corporate culture deteriorated into an us-versus-them mentality. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Im beginning to like it & the dollars too.11, By the spring of 1967, Whataburger had expanded to more than forty stores in sixteen Texas cities and four states since it had first opened in 1950. Earlier in the year, Harmon had crashed in Dutch Guiana at the northern tip of South America while en route to North Africa. The two-seat aircraft crashed into a field north of Thorsby around 1:40 p.m., RCMP said in a Saturday evening news release. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Ways to honor Grace Dobson's life and legacy. Angel was a bit more adventurous than Dobson, though both crashed several times in Africa while mining for diamonds. He purchased a frozen custard stand called Dairy King in Big Spring, Texas, and ran it for a few weeks to learn the business. He flew to Texas to scout out the oil and auto possibilities in places like Witchita Falls, Dallas, and Houston. However, over the years, Whataburger has become a legend in its own right. He was able to please his customers with a five-inch burger by making special arrangements with the Rainbo Bread Company to develop five-inch buns, which were an inch larger than the standard bun. In 1953, Joe Andrews Sr. became the first franchise owner that was not one of the original founders, with a location in Alice, Texas. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. He took jobs at the county fair and as an apprentice iron worker. The lawsuit, filed in San Antonio in March, traces the roots of the dispute to the earliest days of the Whataburger chain, which Dobson founded in 1950 after stints in shipbuilding, oil drilling, and diamond trading. Dobson, an Arkansas native, married Harmon Dobson in . This browser does not support getting your location. The next year, we awarded more than $90 million in bonuses to our Family Members (what we call our employees) in thanks for their extraordinary service during the pandemic. The burger chain has large hamburgers, skinny long fries, creamy milkshakes, and more. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. Man dies after crashing his plane near U.S. 40. The Dobson family and their extended Whataburger family rallied around and supported Grace as she took over the business. The Dobson family and their extended Whataburger family rallied around and supported Grace as she took over the business. There were nine crew members on board. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. DeLaughters Is the Little Grocery Store That Could, The Daughter of a Barbecue Family Takes Tradition in a New Direction, The Old Orange Cafe Is a Piece of Local History, Gen Zs Homemade Tortillas Could Use an Upgrade. Great article! Dobson filled that need by buying used autos from urban areas like Detroit, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and selling them back in Batesville for huge profits. In Jefferson, Kitts Kornbread Turns Familiar Fare Into Something Special. Harmon Dobson was sixteen years old on Black Friday, but this first Black Friday was no shopping extravaganza: it marked the most devastating stock market crash in United States history. Wikipedia. His parents had reason to worry. ), When most Whataburger customers walk into the restaurant, they have no idea if the place they are eating at is a franchise or a corporate-owned branch. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. A system error has occurred. She is survived by two sons, Thomas and Hugh Dobson; a daughter, Lynne Dobson; three sisters, Lola Stettler, Louise Abbot and Jean Florie; and five grandchildren. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. Harmon Dobson was sixteen years old on Black Friday, but this first Black Friday was no shopping extravaganza: it marked the most devastating stock market crash in United States history. We still use 100% pure, never-frozen beef and serve it on a big, toasted five-inch bun. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. As one of the largest franchisees, WOA was hit particularly hard by this arrangement. Mr. Harmon Dobson, the co-Founder of Whataburger Co., died on April 11, 1967, which left his wife and widow, Grace, to take control over the of the business. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. It was an instant success, and Harmon began to expand the business to other markets. Tom Dobson - NNDB The plane went up 100 feet off the runway and came straight back down. I had no idea that the founder of Whataburger started in the oil business! Serving it hot and fresh, 24/7. Patricia Sharpe writes a regular restaurant column, Pats Pick, for Texas Monthly. His friend and associate, Andrew Sneed was also killed. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. Eventually, more people came to eat the fresh, large burgers. H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping, West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. After experiencing numerous losses that caused him to lose over $5,000, Dobson returned to the U.S. Dobson began by doing dozens of quick auto deals before returning to Texas to scout for oil. Dobson agreed, and the Alice store opened a year later. . The first drive-thru was installed in 1971. Tom Harmon is Missing | University of Michigan Heritage Project In fact, people love representing Whataburger so much, they rush out to get the latest Whataburger swag: from Whataburger sunglasses to Whataburger sneakers, t-shirts, sweaters, and hats. At the end of 1980, Whataburger opened its 300th restaurant. September 23, 1952- I never expected anything like this. harmon dobson plane crash. The All-Time Favorites menu, featuring four of the most loved specialty sandwiches from over the years, made its debut and was greeted enthusiastically by Whataburger fans. Please try again later. Harmon Archibald Dobson (1913-1967) - Find a Grave Memorial The plane, a Harmon Rocket, caught fire following the crash. Its a little like a public divorceneither side walks away looking good, says Michelle Hartmann, a Dallas attorney who specializes in private-company litigation. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. [2], Dobson moved to Texas, where he co-founded the first Whataburger with Paul Burton, who was looking to open a hamburger restaurant. But thats a tough needle to thread for a company that has developed intense customer loyalty because of its down-home, noncorporate image. To use this feature, use a newer browser. The first Whataburger was served 66 years ago today in South Texas - mySA Some people are legendary because of what they have done, but others and perhaps the most important ones, are legendary because of who they are. Geographical origins As a devout Whataburger customer this article was fascinating. January 1, 1950- I think this will be an eventful year for me.1. On June 23, 1950, the Texas Secretary of State office granted Dobson the trademark for Whataburger. Dobson then invested more time and more effort into developing the first Whatabuger.4, Eventually, on August 8, 1950, Dobson opened and sold his first Whataburger through the window of a little portable building. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. [4] Burton and Harmon decided that Burton would own the Whataburger franchises in San Antonio, Texas, while Harmon would own the rest of the company and its franchises. While her husband, Harmon Dobson, was the one who launched the first Whataburger, it was Lady Grace who clung tightly to her husbands legacy through terrible trials and tragedies. I like to write, listen to music, and read about fashion. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. After the Second World War ended, Harmon settled on buying used cars, which became profitable. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. Numbers went from 600 to 950 burgers per day.10, August 4, 1951- Proud to be the beginning of what may be a lifelong business. A Douglas C-124C Globemaster II plane, serial 52-1062, was damaged beyond repair in an accident 10 km from Stephenville-Harmon AFB, NL (YJT), Canada. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. Montana family mourning loss of pilot | ParkRecord.com Born in 1913 in Wayne, Oklahoma, Harmon Dobson was raised in the rural farming community of Cushman, Arkansas. The purpose of this is to explore expansion plans in the northern area of the United States while staying true to the brands message.15 Some of the brand messages can be found in The Whataburger Difference. The Whataburger Difference is what separates the company from every other competitor that they have and one of the five points of focus is to protect and serve the best products in the industry.16 With this said, hopefully Texans will stay true to the family brand as changes occur, which would surely make Dobson proud of how his company has grown. Harmon's is not the only plane crash to go against the drop in accidents that the War Department are reporting. [2] Harmon and his wife had two children, a daughter born in 1956 and a son born in 1957. In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. The war was over, and his adventure had ended. Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. It was also surprising to me that Whataburgers exists in other states. By 1949, Dobson was done with diamonds and began searching for a safe place to land. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Today, our founder's original vision still inspires everything we do. On April 11, 1967, at around 4:30 p.m., Dobson and his business associate Luther John Sneed took off in Dobson's Cessna Skymaster from an airport in LaPorte heading for Victoria, Texas. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. Under Reeses leadership, WOA repeatedly won the chains annual best franchise award. On August 8, 1950, the first Whataburger opened at 2609 Ayers Street. Sadly, in 2005, Whataburger Family Members mourned the loss of Lady Grace as she was called by many. In the early years, Graces oldest son, Tom, enjoyed helping Harmon make the root beer at Whataburger. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Read more: 2 dead after small plane crashes near Thorsby: Alberta . Dobson wrote about his success during the first couple of days Whataburger opened in his journal. I thought it was only a Texas thing and never heard of them existing anywhere else. He was not afraid to tell people if they did not meet his standards.. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. Oops, something didn't work. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. This plane was easy to spot as it towed a Whataburger banner in the air and blared its duck-like airhorn.9, After every flight, business would do well. Dobson revealed that in Fast Food magazine in 1957 that flying over a Whataburger in Bryan, Texas led to more customers buying burgers. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. [5][9], "Deep in the Heart: Whataburger's Long History of Success and Brand Identity", "Whatalife: Harmon Dobson, the Founder of Whataburger", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harmon_Dobson&oldid=1103833486, This page was last edited on 11 August 2022, at 05:01. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. His friend and associate, Andrew Sneed was also killed. [5] In 1963, Whataburger opened its first location in Arizona totaling the number of stores 26. However, news broke out in June 2019 that Whataburger sold a controlling interest in the company to Chicago- based investment banking firm BDT Capital. Lady Grace and the Whataburger Legend - Texasliving Two die after small plane crashes in field southwest of Edmonton In part because of its regional statusof the nearly 800 current Whataburger locations, more than 600 are in Texasthe chain inspires a combination of pride and loyalty among many Texans. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. The children grew up working in the restaurants and are still a part of what makes Whataburger great today. She was very excited about that." And on May 6, 1999, Whataburger by the Bay opened in Corpus Christi as a tribute to Whataburger's upcoming 50th anniversary. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. In June Dallas-based Brinker International, which owns Chilis and Maggianos Little Italy, unveiled a plan to buy franchises to boost earnings. Since post-war production had not yet returned, the U.S. had a great need for autos, particularly in rural areas. Whataburgers affairs were more and more being turned over to the professionals, all of whom wanted to participate in what by now had ceased to be a family business and had become simply a large corporate entity, WOA claims in its lawsuit. They have jalapeo eating contests, giveaways, and appearances from the company mascot, Whataguy.