The Bakersfield husband and wife who founded the biggest motorcycle toy run in the country were being remembered Monday for their big hearts after they were killed over the weekend.
Jim and Debbie Harmon, were killed Saturday morning on Sierra Highway near Kernville. He was 58, she was 57.
The Harmons were highly respected in the motorcycling community, and found comfort in helping others, friends said.
"He was an amazing man, and she was an amazing woman," said Robert Laurin, who knew the Harmons for years. "We are going to miss them so much."
The couple was on the same motorcycle Saturday morning on Sierra Highway when a 74-year-old woman lost control of her Buick on a Sierra Highway curve near Limestone Drive, according to the Highway Patrol. The car sammed head-on into the Harmons' Harley Davidson, the CHP reported.
Rick Sommer said word traveled fast about the accident.
"In an hour, people 300 miles away knew what had happened,'' he said.
The Harmons played active roles in the motorcycling community but may have been best known for starting the Bakersfield Toy Run in 1982.
Friends said the Harmons started the charity motorcycle ride in an effort to ensure no child was without a toy at Christmas.
"We started with just 50 people gathering, now it's grown to the largest toy run in the state of California." said Laurin. Last year the run drew more than 4,000 motorcyclists and hundreds of classic cars. More than 10,000 toys were collected.
"If somebody was there and needy, they would open their wallet up, and they weren't rich,'' said Fred Evenson, who served as the vice president of the toy run.
He said the Harmons had a passion for giving back, and helping those in need.
"They were there from the beginning to the end, you could always count on them,'' Evenson said.
Now friends wonder how the organization they started and love so much will ever be the same.
Family members said they are making funeral arrangements.
