Harmon Clayton Killebrew, Jr.
The Argus Observer (Ontario, Malheur County, Oregon)
Thursday, May 19, 2011 (online)
Harmon Clayton Killebrew, Jr.
June 29, 1936 - May 17, 2011
Scottsdale, ARIZ.
Harmon Clayton Killebrew, Jr. passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, May 17, 201,1 after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer.
Harmon was born June 29, 1936, the fifth child of Katherine Pearl May Killebrew and Clayton Killebrew, Sr., in a house in Payette, Idaho.
Harmon excelled in all sports and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball all four years of high school. Harmon was offered a football scholarship to the University of Oregon, but signed with the Washington Senators at age 17 so he could help support his mother due to the passing of his father the previous year. His kind and generous heart has been one of Harmon’s most memorable and endearing qualities.
Harmon was too young at age 17 to sign the contract with the Senators, so his older brother, Gene had to sign for him as his guardian. The first major league baseball game Harmon saw was the first one he played in.
Harmon stopped playing football in his junior year when his mother and his sweetheart were worried about him getting hurt. This lasted several weeks when at one of the games the bleachers collapsed and he said "if you can get hurt watching football, I may as well be playing," and he suited up and was back in the game. Luckily, his coach brought his uniform to every game just in case. He did eventually get a knee injury playing football, requiring surgery. It was that injury that slowed him down as a runner when he later joined the Washington Senators.
Harmon married Elaine Roberts, of Payette, Idaho, in October 1955. They had five children together, Cameron, Kenneth, Shawn, Kathryn, and Erin. Harmon and Elaine were married for 34 years and divorced in 1990. Harmon then married Nita Fairbank Patten in 1991. She had four children from a previous marriage, Megan, Melissa, Sari, and Jake. Harmon became a loving and supportive step father to them all and loved them dearly. Harmon and Nita enjoyed many special gatherings with all their children and this brought Harmon great joy.
Harmon played for the Washington Senators Baseball Club in Washington D.C. from 1954-1960. He then moved with the team to the Twin cities and played for the Minnesota Twins Baseball Club in Minneapolis, Minn. from 1961-1974. Harmon’s final year in Major League Baseball was played in Kansas City, Mo., for the Kansas City Royal’s Baseball Club in 1975.
Harmon’s honors and awards include: 1959-1971 American League All Star Teams (13 times); 1969-1970 Player of the year, American League; 1959-1969 American League Home Run Champion (six times); 1969 Most Valuable Player, American League; 1964 & 1969 Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Award; 1970 Lou Gehrig Award; 1979 Idaho Sports Hall of Fame; 1980 Idaho Distinguished Citizen Award; 1984 Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY; 1985 American League All Star Team (captain); 1987 Hubert H. Humphrey Memorial Award; 1988 Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Award; 1989 Kansas City Royals Nostalgia Award; 1996 Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame, Florida; 1999 Idaho Male Athlete of the Century; 2000 Minnesota Twins Baseball Hall of Fame; 2002 Olympic Torch Bearer; 2006 Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame; 2006 Humanitarian Sports Hall of Fame.
Harmon began a television career while he was still an active player with WTCN TV, of Minneapolis where he hosted The Harmon Killebrew Pre-game Show from 1961-1972. Harmon’s post-player career began with television broadcasting again for WTCN TV of Minneapolis, KPIX TV of San Francisco, Calif., where he broadcast for the Oakland A’s Baseball Club from 1979-1982. During that same time, Harmon also served as the A’s Major and Minor League Hitting Instructor. In 1983, Harmon did broadcasting for KTLA TV of Los Angeles for the California Angels Baseball Club. Harmon then returned to Minneapolis to broadcast for the Twins until 1985.
After retiring from Major League Baseball, Harmon went into private business in Boise, Idaho. In 1990, Harmon moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., and established Professional Endorsements, LLC, through which he conducted endorsements and appearances.
Harmon’s later years were spent raising funds for charitable organizations. Harmon and Nita established the Harmon Killebrew Foundation to raise funds for other 501 (c) 3’s in honor of his mother, who reminded him frequently "we are here to help each other son!" Harmon’s foundation now has established the Harmon Killebrew Legacy Program to raise funds to build Miracle League Fields for physically disadvantaged children in Payette, Idaho, Phoenix, Ariz., Minneapolis, Minn. and Washington D.C. as well as scholarship programs for Payette High School athletes.
Harmon has always had compassion and sensitivity to people who are disadvantaged or suffering, especially children. Through his foundation, Harmon raised over $10 million for charity. Harmon wants to be remembered for his principles, love of his fellow man and his love for his family.
Harmon was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Eula and Patricia; and brother, Gene.
He is survived by his loving wife, Nita; his children, Cameron (Karen), Atlanta, GA., Kenny, Minneapolis, Minn., Shawn (Craig) Bair, Sandy, Utah, Kathy (Jim) Taggart, Sandy, Utah, Erin Killebrew, Upland, Calif.; step-children, Megan (Darin) Aubrey, Meridian, Idaho, Lissa Lamb, Nashville, Tenn., Sari (Brent) White, Mesa, Ariz., and Jake Patten, Scottsdale, Ariz. His brother, Bob, lives in Boise, Idaho. Harmon has 21 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Harmon Killebrew Foundation "Legacy Program". P.O. Box 14550 Scottsdale, AZ 85267. www.harmonkillebrewfoundation.org.
Funeral services in Arizona will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, May 20, 2011, at Christ Church of the Valley, 7007 W. Happy Valley, Peoria, AZ 85383.
Funeral services in Idaho will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, May 23, 2011, at the Payette High School Gymnasium, 1500 6th Ave. S., Payette, ID.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.
Local services are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette.
Independent-Enterprise
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 (online)
Killebrew dies of cancer
By Larry Hurrle
Hall of Fame slugger succumbs less than one week after ceasing treatments.
Payette native Harmon Killebrew died Tuesday morning at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., less than a week after he announced he would forego any further treatments for esophageal cancer and instead would enter hospice care. He was 74.
The Minnesota Twins released a statement Tuesday saying Killebrew died peacefully with his wife, Nita, and their nine children by his side.
Killebrew is possibly the biggest professional sports name to come out of the Treasure Valley area. He played the majority of his Major League career with the Washington Senators and Minnesota Twins, when the team moved to Minneapolis-St. Paul in 1961. He spent five years in the minor leagues.
Killebrew was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.
Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, said Killebrew personified Hall of Fame excellence and was simply one of the greatest hitters of all time.
"Since joining the Hall of Fame family in 1984, Harmon was a beacon of light among his fellow Hall of Famers, always smiling, always enjoying every moment that life delivered to his doorstep," she said. "We have so many fond memories of this wonderful baseball hero, and we will miss him enormously."
When Killebrew announced Friday he would cease treatments for the cancer, after doctors determined it was incurable, he said, "With the continued love and support of my wife, Nita, I have exhausted all options. I have spent the past decade of my life promoting hospice care and educating people on its benefits. I am very comfortable taking this next step and experiencing the compassionate care that hospice provides. I look forward to spending my final days in comfort and peace with Nita by my side."
Killebrew received cancer treatment at a nearby branch of the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Ariz.
At the time of Killebrew’s retirement from Major League Baseball in 1975, he was fifth on the all-time home run list with 573. Since that time, he has dropped to 11th on the list, being passed by the likes of Alex Rodriguez and Jim Thome. The next closest active players in the Major Leagues today are Vladimir Guerrero and Chipper Jones, both with 440 home runs. Both are relatively late in their careers. The next realistic candidate to pass Killebrew might be Albert Pujols, 31, who has 415 home runs.
Killebrew spent 22 years playing in Major League Baseball, 21 of those years with the Senators and Twins, and his final year with the Kansas City Royals. In his 22 seasons, Killebrew had eight seasons with 40 or more home runs, which is tied for second in league history with Babe Ruth. He appeared in 11 All-Star games.
In 1969 Killebrew was named the American League Most Valuable Player, when the Twins won their division and were defeated by Baltimore for the AL Championship. The 49 home runs, 140 RBIs and 145 walks Killebrew compiled in that season are still records in Minnesota.
Killebrew maintained a presence with the Twins, returning on many occasions when the Twins celebrated their "Legends" day in Minneapolis. He was dubbed "The Killer" in Major League Baseball because of his powerful bat, even though his demeanor was always humble and gentle.
A giant, bronze glove which sits outside Target Field, the Twins’ near field in Minneapolis, is exactly 520 feet from home plate — the same distance as the longest home run Killebrew ever hit.
Killebrew’s No. 3 jersey has been retired by Minnesota and there is a statue in his likeness that stands outside the ballpark.
On Killebrew’s website, Washington Senator scout Ossie Bluege recounted discovering the young baseball phenomenon at the age of 17.
"I waited for the rain to stop in Payette, Idaho and then he hit one a mile over the left field fence," Bluege said. "I stepped it off the next morning and measured it at 435 feet. That convinced me."
Killebrew wasn’t just a home run hitter, he turned at-bats into longest-drive contests. He never worried much about his short game, preferring instead to swing for the fences, and finished his career with a lifetime .256 average.
Locals remember "The Killer" as a very humble man who loved Payette
By Larry Hurrle
Independent-Enterprise
Major League Baseball legend Harmon Killebrew never forgot his hometown, often returned to Payette, where members of his family still reside, and took part in the Killebrew Day festivities put on by the Payette High School baseball team.
Killebrew would attend a fundraising dinner and golf tournament and be present at a PHS baseball game and would sign autographs for fans.
Tracy Bratcher, coach of the Payette High School varsity baseball team, said it was simply an honor to have Killebrew return to Payette.
"I feel fortunate that I did get to meet a boyhood idol of mine," Bratcher said Tuesday morning after learning of Killebrew’s death. "Growing up in Payette and playing ball — Harmon Killebrew is a legend. Getting to meet him and become a friend of his meant everything to me."
Bratcher said Killebrew would talk to the Payette baseball team about hitting whenever he returned to Payette, but said usually his time with the team was somewhat limited.
"When he was back in this area, people always wanted him to do different things, which he would graciously do," Bratcher said. "He would talk to the team about hitting. He and his team (from high school) donated the pitching machine we use."
Bratcher said some friends of his got together and are sending the Payette baseball team patches to wear on their uniforms in the upcoming Idaho 3A state baseball tournament, scheduled to begin Thursday at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario.
As well, Bratcher said, the team would find a way to honor Killebrew.
"Friday, when he said he was sick, we wanted to make sure we honored him in some way," Bratcher said. "Now, with his passing, we’re going to do everything we can to let people know he is remembered and we appreciate everything he ever did for us and for baseball."
Payette Mayor Jeff Williams said the Payette City Council decided just Monday night that new banners would be purchased for the city to go along with the Pirate banners than hand at the city’s entrance.
"We decided we were going to have similar banners with "Welcome to Payette. Home of Harmon Killebrew." on them," Williams said. "I wish he would have been around long enough that he could have seen them. He was a great guy for the City of Payette."
Williams said living in the city where Killebrew grew up was nothing short of phenomenal for him.
"For me, personally, I grew up in northern Iowa," Williams said. "In the early ’70s when I was in high school, he was a phoneme for that part of the country. Little did I know I would live in Payette, Idaho, and be in a town where he grew up and shaped his upbringing."
Both Bratcher said Williams said Killebrew was nothing like his nickname "The Killer" portrayed.
"He was so approachable," Bratcher said. "So many things you read and hear about him being a far better person than he was a baseball player — and he was a heck of a baseball player — were true. He was such a great individual … a class act."
"He was a great person all around," Williams said. "He was such a humble guy. I played golf with him and he was just a neat guy, someone you want to look up to and be like him."
The football and baseball fields at Payette High School are named after Killebrew.