[2] Harmon and his wife had two children, a daughter born in 1956 and a son born in 1957. Early life [ edit] Dobson wrote about his success during the first couple of days Whataburger opened in his journal. 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. Eventually, more people came to eat the fresh, large burgers. Its a little like a public divorceneither side walks away looking good, says Michelle Hartmann, a Dallas attorney who specializes in private-company litigation. September 23, 1952- I never expected anything like this. She threw out the ball at the field right before she got really sick. The price of burgers was raised to 30 cents, and to Burtons chagrin, customers did not mind. But perhaps because his dear friend Harmon Dobson was gone, his personal connection no longer seemed to mean as much as it once did. Is It Possible to Be Vegan Without Eating Vegetables? Read more: 2 dead after small plane crashes near Thorsby: Alberta . Eventually, more people came to eat the fresh, large burgers. The Andrews family has been very special to Whataburger through the years, said Whataburgers corporate chief, Preston Atkinson, during the ceremony. Harmon Archibald Dobson (1913-1967) - Find a Grave Memorial New specialty items included the Whataburger Patty Melt and the Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich. The beloved Nickel Mugnow a classic piece of Americanadebuted as a promotion which was supposed to last 1-year but ended up running for 14. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Failed to report flower. Also, Whataburger expanded to places such as Las Vegas and Memphis, where the company was unknown, leading to a lack of customers purchasing food. Otherwise, it wouldnt approve any new sites for WOA. 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. Today Whataburger has over 800 stores in ten states serving up Harmon Dobsons original Whataburger. [3][2], In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson, a widow with a five-year-old son. His mother, Louise, and his sister, Kathy Reese, ran the business until Louise died, in 2005, leaving Reese in charge. Harmon Dobson - Wikiwand Oct 21, 2020, 9:31am PST. For Adler, the name on the stadium and the ball-throwing honor were small tributes to a woman he thought the world of. Despite all these changes, we're still sticking to what got us here. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. The menu grew as well, with French fries and hot pies being added in 1962. Dobson and Burton scouted out several locations for their big burger venture before settling on Corpus Christi. Whataburger, which saw San Antonio as a key growth market, filed suit to block the sale. The plane was bound for Love Field in Dallas when it went down at 5:16 P.M. according to Mitch Barket, a Federal Aviation Admistration spokesman. Were honored today to just say . August 20, 1989. The company also passed the 500-store threshold, making it the nation's eighth-largest hamburger chain. This tiny burger stand offered something people had never seen: a burger that was so big, they had to hold its five-inch bun with two hands. Whatalife: Harmon Dobson, the Founder of Whataburger It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. Cant tell much yet.6, August 11, 1950- Nice day today $97. By 1949, Dobson was done with diamonds and began searching for a safe place to land. Harmon never lived to see his shack become a regional burger empire; he died in a plane crash in 1967. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. 1967 Press Photo Plane Crash Kill Harmon Dobson & Luther Sneed 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. After her husband died, Grace Dobson surrounded herself with a management team, became chairwoman of the board and grew the business to more than 600 company-owned and franchised stores - and raised three children as a single parent. "But through all of their giving and the charitable things that they did for the community and the state of Texas it glowed down on her anyway. On July 19, 1989, one of the most dramatic events in aviation unfolded in the skies over Iowa as heroic pilots battled to land a crippled DC-10. At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. And as long as they can still get their Green Chile Double Whataburgers or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits, they probably dont care. However, early on Burton and Dobson found that their differing business philosophies were undeniable. based on information from your browser. A brief period of military camels in Texas became lost to even most history books. Wow! Tom healed the wounds that Peterson left on Whataburger by pulling together as a company, simplifying its message, shutting down less profitable locations, and putting emphasis back on its famous burgers.14. The company also said it didnt intend for the 1993 settlement to give WOA exclusive rights or lower royalties. Our Story TGFF [2] Dobson spent most of his early life working on his parents' cattle farm. Its so interesting that he aimed to create a burger that would require hands to hold it. Drag images here or select from your computer for Harmon Archibald Dobson memorial. And while we now serve hot, fresh food at more than 890 Whataburgers across the country, that burger stand in Corpus Christi is never far from our hearts. Thank God for his drunken partners actions which led him to leave the oil business, otherwise, we wouldnt get to experience the beloved food of Whataburger! Dobson revealed that in Fast Food magazine in 1957 that flying over a Whataburger in Bryan, Texas led to more customers buying burgers. Unflinching, she steadfastly refused. During this time he traveled to North Africa where he helped build a U.S. Navy base and worked on airplane hangars, radio towers, tanks, and whatever else the Navy needed. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Being proud of everything we do. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. BDT is a merchant bank that invests in family-owned companies. [4] In 1962, the company introduced French fries and hot pies to its menu. Police say the Harmon Rocket a two-seat sport plane caught fire after the crash, and both a man and a woman were found deceased inside the aircraft. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Dobson's journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. Earlier this year, Andrewss company, now run by his daughter, Kathy Andrews Reese, sued the restaurant chain, claiming that Whataburger had reneged on a 22-year-old agreement between the two companies. In addition to a legacy of giving, Lady Grace made sure to instill her children with hard work and Whataburger values. The Dobsons son, Tom, became Whataburgers chief executive in 1993. Harmon Dobson - Google Search You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. . harmon dobson plane crash. The Crash of United Flight 232 - Popular Mechanics We have set your language to In June Dallas-based Brinker International, which owns Chilis and Maggianos Little Italy, unveiled a plan to buy franchises to boost earnings. Boasting 6,000 square feet, stunning water views and a life-size bronze likeness of Harmon Dobson, this flagship restaurant is a fitting tribute to an amazing man. I had over 5000 dollars invested in a drilling deal in Loving County, Texas, and on May 18 almost lost the whole thing through his drinking by fouling up a deal only two days before the money would have been forfeited Am now interested in financing Paul Burton, a hamburger expert, in some small specialized hamburger joints somewhere in Texas. Unique 30-foot-tall A-frame design spiked interest in Whataburger It amazes me how many people talk about whataburger and that those burgers are probably the best they have ever tried because of their unique taste, but I have never tasted one. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Grace Dobson Obituary (2005) - Corpus Christi, TX - Corpus-Christi Harmon Archibald Dobson was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. 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. Franchisees and the parent company squabbled over products and promotions, and the once familial corporate culture deteriorated into an us-versus-them mentality. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. Corpus Christi is going to miss Grace Dobson. 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. Andrews surrendered exclusivity to the San Antonio market and agreed to sell the existing San Antonio stores back to Whataburger. In short, Whataburger made it very plain that its position is that Whataburger never intended WOA would have the benefits that the 1993 Agreement clearly states that it does, the lawsuit says. [5] In 1963, Whataburger opened its first location in Arizona totaling the number of stores 26. Andrews, a longtime friend of Whataburger founder Harmon Dobsons, wasnt simply the companys first franchisee, he was its most successful, opening dozens of locations in Texas and helping the chain build its reputation. I enjoyed reading the little journal entries included in this article because it makes it more unique and gives it a more personal feeling to what Dobson had been feeling and thinking as he was starting up Whataburger. This is a terrible time to risk messing with the Whataburger brand. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. Whataburger is more than a burger chain. The war was over, and his adventure had ended. However, news broke out in June 2019 that Whataburger sold a controlling interest in the company to Chicago- based investment banking firm BDT Capital. Two people killed in plane crash near Thorsby: RCMP Fowler died after the Harmon Rocket plane he was piloting went down in a field northwest of Thorsby, Alta., on Saturday afternoon. Sadly, in 2005, Whataburger Family Members mourned the loss of Lady Grace as she was called by many. This, I believe, will turn out to be a very profitable investment, which is something up until May 1, I was very unaccustomed.3, Dobson aimed to make a better burger a burger so good that it would require two hands to hold it. Harmon Dobson | Military Wiki | Fandom Dobson wanted to increase the price of a burgerfrom 25 to 30 cents. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. I like to write, listen to music, and read about fashion. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. As a devout Whataburger customer this article was fascinating. Yet despite its success, Whataburgers history has included some setbacks. . 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. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. Their business completed the next day, on April 11, 1967, and the men were going back home. 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. Born:? However, Dobson found success to be lonely. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. Five of the crew died while waiting, and the remaining seven . The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. However, if one thinks about it, if it were not for this incident, Dobson would not have gone down the road that he did to finance Whataburger. 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. At age 16, Dobson was accepted into the University of Missouri to study journalism, but was forced to return to his family farm soon after attending due to a family crisis at home due to the Great Depression. In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. Try again later. Im glad to read that Tom Dobson, his son, was able to continue the legacy that was left by his father. Rocky Mountain House airport manager one of 2 dead in plane crash - CBC We still use 100% pure, never-frozen beef and serve it on a big, toasted five-inch bun. At first, Harmon was content to help his parents on the farm, but his wanderlust eventually returned, calling him elsewhere. Man dies after crashing his plane near U.S. 40. UPLAND, Pa. (AP) _ A former New Jersey state trooper severely injured in the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa, last month has died, a hospital spokeswoman said. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. It is a place that feels like home to more than 50,000 employees, called Family Members, and millions of customers. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. ), 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. Harmon Archibald Dobson [1] was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. That someone was Harmon Dobson, and that chain is Whataburger, which he started in a Corpus Christi shack in 1950, and which today numbers some 700 restaurants, the majority of them still in Texas. Unfortunately, Coy was protective of Grace and had warned her about dating his unsettled, gallivanting brother. Whataburger has been highly successful in a very competitive market, says Stephen Barth, a professor of law and leadership at the University of Houstons Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Tom officially took over Whataburger in 1993 and is still company chairman today. He had $2500 to invest in the right deal involving oil, and eventually, he became partners with Henry Mode on an oil lease in Loving County, Texas.2 Yet, this investment did not lead to success. Dobson later was hired to help build a naval base where he worked on building radio towers, tanks and hangars. It was such a smart marketing move to drop flyers, coupons, and carry a Whataburger banner in the air. His friend and associate, Andrew Sneed was also killed. This time, however, it indicated that it wasnt inclined to do so. Two summers ago, with the South Texas sun beating down, a group of civic leaders gathered in front of the Whataburger on Main Street in Alice to unveil a bust of the late Joe Andrews Sr. Today, our founder's original vision still inspires everything we do. With time, they started to expand more outside Texas because Texans gave this restaurant a gold star. Dobson revealed that in Fast Food magazine in 1957 that flying over a Whataburger in Bryan, Texas led to more customers buying burgers. To this day, giving is a huge part of the Whataburger dynasty. It was fascinating to see that the burger/fast food chain that Dobson created (along with other people) would end up becoming the most notable food item in Texas. Through the years, she also served in numerous philanthropic capacities including working for the USO, Coastal Bend Youth City, the Kidney Foundation and the Texas State Aquarium. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. In November 1942, a B-17 bomber with a 12-man crew crashed into a Greenland ice cap. Lady Grace and the Whataburger Legend - Texasliving Learn more about managing a memorial . Dobson was raised in a small rural farming community of Cushman, Arkansas. Yet, I find it insane that Dobson died so tragically and unexpectedly before he could see his fast food chain truly flourish and gain a big following from many Texans and others from different states. On April 11, 1967, Dobson and an associate died in an airplane crash, and Dobson's widow, Grace, took control of the business. Ford Heights plane crash: Small plane crashes near I-394 and Lincoln He felt like the burgers at Dairy King were too small and wanted to build a really big burger, calling it the Whataburger. This was a very interesting story to tell! Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Also, Whataburger expanded to places such as Las Vegas and Memphis, where the company was unknown, leading to a lack of customers purchasing food. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business. . Having lived in Texas for the 18 years of my life, I found it really interesting to finally know the full history of Whataburger. This venture led him to his destiny in the Lone Star State. Were not making much profit but at least they are going fast for our product.7, August 12, 1950- Big Day 141.80 What a workhouse 551 hamburgers.8, Dobson realized the presentation of his burgers mattered. 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. The new CEO and president of Whataburger was Tom Dobson, the son of Harmon and Grace Dobson. In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. Born: October 8, 1913, Wayne, OK. Died: 1967, La Porte, TX. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. You can always change this later in your Account settings. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. Written by: Rebecca Canfield | Photos Courtesy of: Whataburger. So proud & so tired.17. Instead, during the next 38 years, the Whataburger matriarch, who died of complications from cancer Thursday in a local hospital at age 80, played an integral part in growing the hamburger chain into the eighth largest in the nation. Grace Williamson and her 5-year-old son, Tom, rented a home owned by Dobsons brother Coy. AKA Thomas E. Dobson. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. Learning about Dobsons history was interesting as well, I didnt know that he had originally started out attempting to capitalize on the oil industry. I have so much fun talking to the young employees about the early Whataburger. In 2017 alone, Whataburger partnered with over 600 charities across its ten-state service area, donating over $5 million. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. The main reason for the move was for oil. [2] She ultimately refused to sell the company, wanting it to be kept in the family, and became chairwoman of the board of Whataburger until her death in 2005. When I think of Whataburger, I immediately think of Texas and burgers. He wanted this burgers to be so delicious that it would make a person yell, What a burger! This inspired the naming of his company. 1 Colonization and Settlement (1500-1763), 2 Revolution and Early Republic (1754-1801), 4 Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877), 5 Emergence of Modern America (1877-1929), 4 Late Middle Ages-Renaissance-Reformation Europe (1300-1648), 3 Post-Classical History (600 CE-1492 CE), HS 1302 United States History since 1877, SP 3392 Language Variation and Dialectology of Spanish, Dom DiFurio and Oria McCaffrey, Whataburgers founding family sells controlling stake in iconic Texas chain,, College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences. Great job on your article Courtney! Later, he went to Egypt and worked on the Suez Canal. ! Then they ask, whats a picture show? I try to explain drive in movies to them. Harmon Dobson, a "young entrepreneur" who made his start in life shipbuilding, oil drilling and diamond training, was the man behind the burgers. Under Reeses leadership, WOA repeatedly won the chains annual best franchise award. Harmon Archibald Dobson (October 8, 1913 - April 11, 1967) [1] was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. The number of locations doubled to more than 200 restaurants. When everyone told Grace to just let go, the love of her husband and the desire to honor a promise propelled her forward into uncharted territory as she fought to keep the Whataburger legacy alive. 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. To use this feature, use a newer browser. It was an instant success, and Harmon began to expand the business to other markets. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print.