Harmon Brotnov, Colonel, USAF (Retired)
September 23, 1931 – August 05, 2024

Harmon Brotnov was a man of wisdom and wit. He left us Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, with the words, “Trust and Love.” It was short and sweet, but we all knew exactly what he meant. Those are the words he lived by, which he showed through his Christian faith and service to the Church. He lived James 1:22. Harmon was born to Ralph and Myrtle Brotnov in Clearwater, Idaho, on Sept. 23, 1931.

He was a loving and faithful husband to Georgia for 72 years. He was introduced to her by his mother at Lewis-Clark State College where they were all students. Their love affair started with a dancing class, an activity they loved for all of their years together. He continued his education at Washington State University, where he entered the ROTC program and earned a degree in business education.

He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and had a long and distinguished career in the military. He loved flying and claimed the T-39 his favorite plane but had many stories of his adventures piloting the B-47 and helicopters in Vietnam where he was the squadron commander of the Green Hornets Special Forces Unit. He retired from the Air Force as a full colonel to Clarkston, where he took community involvement to the next level.

His many roles in life included handyman, carpenter, scout master, choir member, Gideon, Grand Marshal for the Asotin County Fair, teacher and fast friend to anyone he met.

He is survived by wife Georgia, son Jerry (Cindy), daughter Julie (Jeffrey), five granddaughters Mathea (Tim), Malena (Leo), Emily (Brandon), Abby (Tyler), Clara (Joel), brother David (Sharon), and four great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, son Jeffrey (Karen), and brother James (Barbara).

He passed away peacefully at home among his family. A memorial service celebrating him will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Clarkston United Methodist Church, 1242 Highland Ave., Clarkston. Memorials may be given to the Clarkston United Methodist Church or a charity of choice. Thanks to providers of the special care, he received at St. Joseph Cancer Center, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and Elite Hospice.

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As a Lt. Colonel, Harmon Brotnov served a tour in the Vietnam War as a UH-1N/P pilot, and Squadron Commander, with the 20th Special Operations Squadron “Green Hornets” in the 1970-1971-time frame.