harmon dobson plane crash

New specialty items included the Whataburger Patty Melt and the Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich. In 2001, the Whataburger Family Foundation officially began, though the charitable efforts had been ongoing since day one. On April 11, 1967, Dobson and an associate died in an airplane crash, and Dobson's widow, Grace, took control of the business. In 1952, Dobson opened a location in Kingsville, Texas, this was the first store located outside of Corpus Christi. 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. Ways to honor Grace Dobson's life and legacy. Treating our customers right. Dobson faced financial challenges. Harmon never lived to see his shack become a regional burger empire; he died in a plane crash in 1967. . ). The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. Year should not be greater than current year. [4], Dobson and Burton business venture was short lived when their partnership ended 1951 because of a dispute over Dobson's price raise of the burger from 25 to 30 cents. The company also said it didnt intend for the 1993 settlement to give WOA exclusive rights or lower royalties. Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. Franchisees and the parent company squabbled over products and promotions, and the once familial corporate culture deteriorated into an us-versus-them mentality. Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. In 1953 , Joe Andrews received the first Whataburger franchise, and business was booming. . The number of locations doubled to more than 200 restaurants. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. By the late eighties the company had begun to lose its way. I was also unaware of its background nor founder Harmon Dobson. There was a problem getting your location. Once it was averted, Harmon began searching for a new path to success. Everyone expected Grace, now twice widowed, to crumble, and they encouraged her to sell Whataburger. 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 considered myself lucky to be a friend of Grace. Their business completed the next day, on April 11, 1967, and the men were going back home. The Andrews family refused and in March filed its suit, asking a judge to order Whataburger to abide by the 1993 agreement. The burger chain has large hamburgers, skinny long fries, creamy milkshakes, and more. And on May 6, 1999, Whataburger by the Bay opened in Corpus Christi as a tribute to Whataburger's upcoming 50th anniversary. Unwilling to compromise, Dobson offered Burton the keys to his yellow Plymouth convertible and franchise rights to all of San Antonio in exchange for the business. The pragmatic Lady Grace rolled up her sleeves and got to work, teaching her children the family business along the way. 1967. 9 Intense Plane Crashes Caused By Stalls Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation 3.2M views 2 years ago 8 Bad Weather Plane Crashes Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian. This is a great article and very informative! Always thinking bigger, the moment Whataburger began, Dobson and Burton were already seeking a possible second location in Houston. 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. But thats a tough needle to thread for a company that has developed intense customer loyalty because of its down-home, noncorporate image. August 20, 1989. 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. In Jefferson, Kitts Kornbread Turns Familiar Fare Into Something Special. Andrews surrendered exclusivity to the San Antonio market and agreed to sell the existing San Antonio stores back to Whataburger. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. Make sure that the file is a photo. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. 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. (Dobson family members also may be ready to cash out.) Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. The story of Dobson was well written here. Geographical origins Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. This account has been disabled. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. Ben Cauley survived the crash and James Alexander was not on the plane. Each and every Whataburger is still made to orderwhen it's ordered. based on information from your browser. Try again later. Harmon Archibald Dobson (October 8, 1913 - April 11, 1967) was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. In 1952 Andrews, who lived in Alice, brought his family to eat at the Kingsville branch and was so impressed that he contacted Dobson about buying a franchise. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Harmon Dobson (16533251)? Loved this article! She threw out the ball at the field right before she got really sick. Also on the board were Sam W. Main who was vice president, Laneil Andert who was secretary, Ray F. Miller who was treasurer, and Roscoe Smith and Tom E. Dobson as board members.13 During this time, Grace usually avoided the spotlight, but she attended almost every company event. ! 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. September 23, 1952- I never expected anything like this. From the very start, Lady Grace saw to it that Whataburger gave back to the community. Learn more about managing a memorial . All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Even the grandchildren work at Whataburger and attend company meetings. He started his first establishment in 1950 as a large "wooden box" stand. "She was a very shy woman, who didn't want the limelight," Adler said Friday. 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. What disappointed Harmon most about this era was the news that although he was accepted to the University of Missouri to study journalism, he would never graduate. 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. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. January 1, 1950- I think this will be an eventful year for me.1. The. Wow! Es Cuaresma y Whataburger lo sabe: El Whatacatch, est de regreso! Search above to list available cemeteries. Harlon Gerry Dobson, of Pittsgrove Township, N.J., died Saturday at Crozier Chester Medical Center in this Philadelphia suburb, where he . Its a little like a public divorceneither side walks away looking good, says Michelle Hartmann, a Dallas attorney who specializes in private-company litigation. Also on the board were Sam W. Main who was vice president, Laneil Andert who was secretary, Ray F. Miller who was treasurer, and Roscoe Smith and Tom E. Dobson as board members.13 During this time, Grace usually avoided the spotlight, but she attended almost every company event. In the midst of this turmoil, Andrews, who decades earlier had been given exclusive rights to Bexar, Bee, Jim Wells, and Webb counties, decided in 1990 to sell his San Antonio franchises to an outside buyer, in order to better focus on the South Texas market. His mother, Louise, and his sister, Kathy Reese, ran the business until Louise died, in 2005, leaving Reese in charge. Born:? I found it very interesting that they are still selling the same tasty burgers they sold in 1950 at their first restaurant in Corpus Christi. In exchange, his company got renewed assurances of its exclusive rights to develop stores in Bee, Jim Wells, and Webb counties and locked in a royalty rate lower than that assigned to other franchisees. Shocked and saddened, the Whataburger family gathered around Lady Grace to comfort her and her three children in the wake of the tragedy. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Joe Andrews Sr. died in 1999, and his son, Joe Jr., took overand then died suddenly three years later while attending a Whataburger conference in New Orleans. The menu grew as well, with French fries and hot pies being added in 1962. However, over the years, Whataburger has become a legend in its own right. It has expanded in the Southwest United States with about 800 locations in ten states. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. 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 sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. 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. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. And it is crazy to think how it was once only 35 cents and burger and not they are like 4-5 bucks for the same burger that they sold back then. Daniel Vaughn is the countrys first barbecue editor, and he has eaten more barbecue than you have. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. [5] In 1963, Whataburger opened its first location in Arizona totaling the number of stores 26. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. harmon dobson plane crash. Try again later. Great article! On April 10, 1967, Dobson needed to fly to Beaumont, Texas for business and wanted someone to come along with him. We also elevated General Managers in our more than 850 restaurants to Operating partners, serving as the face of Whataburger in their communities, connecting and creating relationships with local schools, businesses, and nonprofits. After hearing from a friend in Houston that Texas was teeming with both cars and oil, Dobson, whose business ventures now had him traveling halfway across the U.S., purchased a private plane and learned to fly it. Whataburger proposed breaking the stalemate by approving the Laredo location only if Reese agreed to relinquish its lower royalty rate and give Whataburger veto power over all site selections, the lawsuit claims. These days, Whataburger doesnt seem so grateful. 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. BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Whataburger and Ed Nelson was promoted to President in 2019. Looking for a more secure venture, Dobson met and partnered with Paul Burton. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. . Since his businesses were now at different locations, Harmon figured it was wise to visit them by plane. Today, Whataburger is a billion-dollar industry, all because of the efforts of Whataburgers saving Grace. This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. In 2012, though, Tom Dobson relinquished his CEO duties to Atkinson, a former contractor who started building Whataburger restaurants in 1986 and then joined the company in 1998. Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks celebrated a ground-breaking ceremony with Grace throwing out the first pitch. The case went to trial in 1993, but the two sides settled before the jury reached a verdict. An opportunity arose when Harmon discovered a niche in the auto industry. He took jobs at the county fair and as an apprentice iron worker. 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. A brief period of military camels in Texas became lost to even most history books. 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. He died when his private plane, a Cessna Skymaster, crashed shortly after takeoff. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? You can always change this later in your Account settings. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. Resend Activation Email. Earlier in the year, Harmon had crashed in Dutch Guiana at the northern tip of South America while en route to North Africa. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. 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 main reason for the move was for oil. Peterson resigned in 1993. He flew to Texas to scout out the oil and auto possibilities in places like Witchita Falls, Dallas, and Houston. Dobson and Burton scouted out several locations for their big burger venture before settling on Corpus Christi. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. 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. 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. Non-family executives, without direct ownership interest in a privately held company, sometimes try to profit from a companys success by heading up a public offering. Lawrence Jagmin, of Frankfort, crashed Tuesday evening near Illinois 394 and Lincoln Highway in Ford Heights. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. Sorry! Dobson, who was an avid pilot, was inspired by his time in sky, designed the orange and white striped A-frame store in Odessa, Texas, in 1961. As a team, they expanded the Whataburger chain and had a family. Thats when they look at me through squinted eyes and really say, Yeah, Right!! Following that, the adventurous Dobson traveled to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf to help build a refinery. However, after only four months, Dobson grew restless and returned to the U.S. By August of that year, he returned home. Angel was a bit more adventurous than Dobson, though both crashed several times in Africa while mining for diamonds. 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. 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. 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. As a devout Whataburger customer this article was fascinating. Before the Whataburger, the typical burger was a White Castle slider, a two-ounce beef patty on a 2-inch bun. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. ), 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. Whataburger is so common to me, as a Texan, that I forget not every state has one. For the Andrews family, this shift in corporate culture first became apparent two years ago, when it told the company headquarters, which had moved from Corpus to San Antonio in 2009, that it wanted to open a new store in Laredo. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. I always found it kind of weird that Whataburger has mostly been a Texas obsession and it amazes me that when they expanded to Memphis and Las Vegas, business declined. In August, they opened their first location on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, across the street from Del Mar College. Later, he went to Egypt and worked on the Suez Canal. In a short time, Dobson had an impressive business. One part of this strategy, the lawsuit contends, is to buy out franchisees with an eye toward taking the company public; gaining greater control over its franchise operations could provide greater value to future shareholders. By the end of the decade, Harmon would open Whataburger #21 in Pensacola, Florida. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Whataburger had commissioned the "Flying W" company logo and had expanded to 40 locations in four states. It hurts the brand ultimately.. 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. 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. Dobson wrote about his success during the first couple of days Whataburger opened in his journal. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. The place did well, and soon Dobson added two more locations in Corpus and one in nearby Kingsville. Along the way they talked about old times and old friends. 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. Fowler died after the Harmon Rocket plane he was piloting went down in a field northwest of Thorsby, Alta., on Saturday afternoon. Oct 21, 2020, 9:31am PST. Its competition is McDonalds and Wendys, not a boutique operation with three locations that offers grass-fed-bison burgers topped with arugula on a gluten-free bun. Failed to report flower. Spicing Things Up: Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Lineup Returns for a Limited Time, Get Ready for More Bold Flavors: Whataburger is Growing in Memphis, Whataburger Celebrates One Year of Delicious Dining in Colorful Colorado, MyWhataburger Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. Mary Lynne and Hugh are both members of the board of directors. Perhaps the Depression stuck with young Harmon because food was important to him long after tough economic times had ended. Corpus Christi is going to miss Grace Dobson. Harmon's is not the only plane crash to go against the drop in accidents that the War Department are reporting. Great article! Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Online ordering through Whataburgers app and website debuted in 2019. Add to your scrapbook. [4] In 1962, the company introduced French fries and hot pies to its menu. Really great article. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. There were nine crew members on board. New menu additions soon followed, including the Breakfast On A Bun, Whatachick'nand the now-famous breakfast Taquitos. Whataburger saw a change of leadership for the first time since the 1990s as Tom Dobson, Harmon's son, took over as President and CEO. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. 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. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Its not surprising that people might want a bigger piece of that pie.. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. 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. Its a place people count on in their communities. 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 think anyone who hasnt tried Whataburger definitely should because it is one of the best fast food places. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. There was a festive atmosphere in first class that. 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. Two years later, three Corpus Christi locations began operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, much to the delight of hungry patrons. Today, in 2019, it has been 69 years since the first Whataburger opened up. In 1953, Joe Andrews Sr. became the first franchise owner that was not one of the original founders, with a location in Alice, Texas. The war was over, and his adventure had ended. Were honored today to just say . I like to write, listen to music, and read about fashion. Whataburger dismisses WOAs allegations, saying the suit contains serious misstatements and baseless speculation. (Whataburger and WOA and their attorneys declined to be interviewed for this story. The plane went up 100 feet off the runway and came straight back down. Unflinching, she steadfastly refused. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. Dobson wanted to increase the price of a burgerfrom 25 to 30 cents. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Im glad to read that Tom Dobson, his son, was able to continue the legacy that was left by his father. Harmon Archibald Dobson was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3151 Reid Drive. While passing through the Southwest United States, particularly Texas, one will probably encounter big, tall, orange and white signs with a Texas-sized W. This is the sign of the famous Texas fast food restaurant Whataburger. He realized that he needed some creative marketing strategies to obtain new customers. Auteur/autrice de la publication : Post published: 16 juin 2022; Post category: . In February 1955, Coy passed away, and Dobson and Grace turned to each other for comfort. In 2017 alone, Whataburger partnered with over 600 charities across its ten-state service area, donating over $5 million. Fifty years after standing in line at the first Whataburger where he made friends with Grace Dobson, local businessmen Robert Adler was on hand earlier this year when his friend "Lady Grace" threw out the first pitch at the opening of Whataburger Field. The golden age of drive-ins and American automobiles was just getting started back on August 8, 1950, when Harmon Dobson opened Whataburger #1. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. The location of the first Whataburger was 2609 Ayers Street, across from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. On April 10, 1967, Dobson needed to fly to Beaumont, Texas for business and wanted someone to come along with him. No major injuries were reported when a Boston-bound plane carrying more than 20 people struck a fence and erupted in flames while taking off at Houston Executive Airport on Tuesday morning,. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at Whatastore in 2013. There was an error deleting this problem. It was also surprising to me that Whataburgers exists in other states. Private burial will be in Seaside Memorial Park. How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire, Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians, The Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints: 2021 Edition. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. Dobson lived in the same modest house at Santa Fe Street and Meldo Park Drive for years, maintaining a close relationship with her children, grandchildren and friends, Sheka said. Thats quite a success story to tell, though. Whataburgers Facebook page reached 1 million fans in 2013, just over a year after its launch. Whataburger was becoming what Dobson always knew it could, and his family was happy and successful. [7], In his will, Dobson left the company to his wife, Grace Dobson, who at the time was encouraged to sell the company. He died when his private plane, a Cessna Skymaster, crashed shortly after takeoff. Failed to remove flower. 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. I didnt know the history of Whataburger was so interesting. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. Dobson was raised in a small rural farming community of Cushman, Arkansas. While passing through the Southwest United States, particularly Texas, one will probably encounter big, tall, orange and white signs with a Texas-sized W. This is the sign of the famous Texas fast food restaurant Whataburger. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. The ceremony wasnt mere sentiment at work. [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. The young man would go on to amass a fortune in land and cattle, not far from where he first disembarked. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Harmon Dobson was born in 1913 in Wayne, Oklahoma, to Hugh and Ethel Dobson. After all, kindness, compassion, and quality were principles Harmon and Grace worked to instill in their employees. 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. We still use 100% pure, never-frozen beef and serve it on a big, toasted five-inch bun. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. Born in 1913 in Wayne, Oklahoma, Harmon Dobson was raised in the rural farming community of Cushman, Arkansas. Written by: Rebecca Canfield | Photos Courtesy of: Whataburger. Te damos 5 razones para no perderte el Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich y la Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad. Dobson even cut a deal with a local bakery to make special-sized buns; the Rainbo bakery had to search the country for a company that could make pans big enough to bake them. He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. Growing up during the onset of the Great Depression, the Dobson family had few resources, but plenty of food at a time when food meant everything.