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Today, Whataburger is a big part of Texas culture, and families all over the Lone Star State can say thank you to Harmon Dobson for helping them to celebrate some of the best moments of their lives. 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. The first drive-thru was installed in 1971. The struggles that Dobson endured building such an important food chain are inspiring. Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3151 Reid Drive. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Whataburger was a burgeoning business, but profits were minimal. Following that, he worked at the New York Shipbuilding Company, which, at the time, was the worlds largest boat-builder for the U.S. Navy. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature officially recognized what Texans had known for more than 50 years: Whataburger is a designated a Texas Treasure.' [8] The crash killed Dobson and his business associate. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Following that, the adventurous Dobson traveled to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf to help build a refinery. 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. Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. 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. However, before he found his landing place, he took a detour to Africa where he partnered with friend JimmyAngel, who insisted that there was a lucrative diamond business there. Andrews surrendered exclusivity to the San Antonio market and agreed to sell the existing San Antonio stores back to Whataburger. There was a festive atmosphere in first class that. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. Despite all these changes, we're still sticking to what got us here. You can count real friends on one hand. 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. In the summer of 1854, a destitute stowaway on a Texas-bound schooner was discovered and forced to work for his passage. And never forgetting where we started. I didnt know the history of Whataburger was so interesting. The plane went up 100 feet off the runway and came straight back down. 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. Always thinking bigger, the moment Whataburger began, Dobson and Burton were already seeking a possible second location in Houston. A host of new menu items was unveiled, including the Whatameal, the A.1. Thick & Hearty Burger, cookies, biscuits, chicken strips and more. 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. Whataburger moved its Home Office to San Antonio from Corpus Christi in 2009. The Harmon Rocket two-seat sport plane . January 1, 1950- I think this will be an eventful year for me.1. 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. harmon dobson plane crash. Eventually, more people came to eat the fresh, large burgers. 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. Four of six Bar-Kays members died: Ronnie Caldwell, Phalon Jones, Jimmy King and Carl Cunningham. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. September 23, 1952- I never expected anything like this. 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. Great job on your article Courtney! The prosperity lasted until 1967 when Dobson and his friend Gene Crane were killed in a plane crash in La Porte, where they had stopped to refuel. Harmon Archibald Dobson [1] was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Occupation: Business Nationality: United States Executive summary: CEO of Whataburger Father: Harmon A. Dobson (Whataburger founder, d. 1967, plane crash) Mother: Grace (d. 1-Sep-2005) Brother: Hugh Sister: Lynne Whataburger President (1993-2007) Whataburger CEO (1993-) George W. Bush for President Whataburger founder Harmon Dobson stands in front of his first . Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. Were honored today to just say . And by the end of 1989, Whataburger was serving hot and fresh food at 440 different locations. He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. He died when his private plane, a Cessna Skymaster, crashed shortly after takeoff. Since post-war production had not yet returned, the U.S. had a great need for autos, particularly in rural areas. 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. Read more: 2 dead after small plane crashes near Thorsby: Alberta . Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Peterson resigned in 1993. Lawrence Jagmin, of Frankfort, crashed Tuesday evening near Illinois 394 and Lincoln Highway in Ford Heights. I have heard that Whataburger is from Texas but I was never completely sure. This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. It was the first Whataburger restaurant outside the state of Texas. I like to write, listen to music, and read about fashion. Today Whataburger has over 800 stores in ten states serving up Harmon Dobsons original Whataburger. Year should not be greater than current year. 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. Try again later. He charged a pricy 25 cents since the burgers were better quality than the competitors burgers. In February 1955, Coy passed away, and Dobson and Grace turned to each other for comfort. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. 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 sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. 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. how privileged we are to have been in a partnership with you for this long.. In Jefferson, Kitts Kornbread Turns Familiar Fare Into Something Special. New Year's Day, 1950, Harmon Dobson, a sometime bush pilot, diamond courier, and automobile dealer, wrote in his journal: . By 1960, Whataburger stores had expanded and were operating across Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. 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. The agreement stipulated that if Andrewss company identified a location in the three counties that it wanted to develop, Whataburger was obligated to approve the franchise. The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. [5] In 1963, Whataburger opened its first location in Arizona totaling the number of stores 26. Private burial will be in Seaside Memorial Park. In Reeses telling, the states most famous burger joint has become just another greedy corporate entity. Im glad to read that Tom Dobson, his son, was able to continue the legacy that was left by his father. It was such a smart marketing move to drop flyers, coupons, and carry a Whataburger banner in the air. Unfortunately, Coy was protective of Grace and had warned her about dating his unsettled, gallivanting brother. 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. [2], Dobson moved to Texas, where he co-founded the first Whataburger with Paul Burton, who was looking to open a hamburger restaurant. It is a place that feels like home to more than 50,000 employees, called Family Members, and millions of customers. Today, more than seven-hundred of the distinctive orange and white WHATABURGER restaurants can be found in eleven states, and total more than $1billion is sales annually. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. A year later, the first of the familiar orange and white striped A-frames was built in Odessa, Texas. 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. Try again. 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. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. But in April of that year, a plane accident cut short Harmon's life, leaving her with three . I share with Whataburger employees how my brothers and I would have 35 cent Whataburgers from the original Ayers street store before going to the picture show. Months later, Harmon raised the prices for burgers to 35 cents. The new CEO and president of Whataburger was Tom Dobson, the son of Harmon and Grace Dobson. Thanks for your help! The two-seat aircraft crashed into a field north of Thorsby around 1:40 p.m., RCMP said in a Saturday evening news release. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. Add to your scrapbook. It was also surprising to me that Whataburgers exists in other states. It hurts the brand ultimately.. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. 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 brand really is tied to both of these families, Hartmann says. Contents 1 Early life 2 Whataburger 3 Death 4 References Early life Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. The. Written by: Rebecca Canfield | Photos Courtesy of: Whataburger. 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. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Great article! 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. Tragedy struck the Whataburger family in 1967 when a plane crash took the life of Harmon Dobson. [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. Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. In 1956 and 1957, respectively, they had a daughter named Mary Lynne and a son named Hugh Carlton. The Dobsons son, Tom, became Whataburgers chief executive in 1993. Being proud of everything we do. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. [3][2], In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson, a widow with a five-year-old son. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. With time, they started to expand more outside Texas because Texans gave this restaurant a gold star. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. In 1953, Joe Andrews Sr. became the first franchise owner that was not one of the original founders, with a location in Alice, Texas. He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. As a team, they expanded the Whataburger chain and had a family. 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. The very first WhataGames, the company's biennial burger Olympic competition for Team Members, was held. harmon dobson plane crash. Dobson was a notorious bachelor, but he had always liked a beautiful young widow he met at the C.I.T. Credit Corporation in Batesville during his auto dealing years. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. By March 5, the couple was married. In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. Also on board and killed was soul singer Otis Redding . Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at. 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. 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. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. 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,. Its a little like a public divorceneither side walks away looking good, says Michelle Hartmann, a Dallas attorney who specializes in private-company litigation. Ways to honor Grace Dobson's life and legacy. Dobson, an Arkansas native, married Harmon Dobson in 1955, five years after he opened the first Whataburger near Del Mar College. I was also unaware of its background nor founder Harmon Dobson. As a devout Whataburger customer this article was fascinating. We still greet our customers with a smile 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I had no idea that the founder, Harmon Dobson, was not originally from here. The place did well, and soon Dobson added two more locations in Corpus and one in nearby Kingsville. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. He took jobs at the county fair and as an apprentice iron worker. Harmon Dobson, a "young entrepreneur" who made his start in life shipbuilding, oil drilling and diamond training, was the man behind the burgers. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef.