Two years later, three Corpus Christi locations began operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, much to the delight of hungry patrons. Unique 30-foot-tall A-frame design spiked interest in Whataburger In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. Dobson later was hired to help build a naval base where he worked on building radio towers, tanks and hangars. Search above to list available cemeteries. She also gave copious amounts of her time and money back to Corpus Christi and the state. Whataburger is so common to me, as a Texan, that I forget not every state has one. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. 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. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. [2], Dobson moved to Texas, where he co-founded the first Whataburger with Paul Burton, who was looking to open a hamburger restaurant. Five of the crew died while waiting, and the remaining seven . Resend Activation Email. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. A Montana family is mourning the loss of their husband, father and grandfather this week after the 50-year-old man crashed in an airplane in Summit County while flying solo along a route he knew well. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. His friend and associate, Andrew Sneed was also killed. The number of locations doubled to more than 200 restaurants. It was the first Whataburger restaurant outside the state of Texas. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. Contents 1 Early life 2 Whataburger 3 Death 4 References Early life The young man would go on to amass a fortune in land and cattle, not far from where he first disembarked. The golden age of drive-ins and American automobiles was just getting started back on August 8, 1950, when Harmon Dobson opened Whataburger #1. Whataburger had commissioned the "Flying W" company logo and had expanded to 40 locations in four states. Dobson faced financial challenges. The. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. [2] Harmon and his wife had two children, a daughter born in 1956 and a son born in 1957. There was a problem getting your location. Despite all these changes, we're still sticking to what got us here. I found this sad and interesting. The place did well, and soon Dobson added two more locations in Corpus and one in nearby Kingsville. 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. Heisman Trophy winner turned airman found safe after 10 days in jungle This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. Whataburger - Wikipedia Whataburger was a burgeoning business, but profits were minimal. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 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. At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. By Stefano Esposito and Sam Kelly. However, over the years, Whataburger has become a legend in its own right. If they cant settle their differences, its not clear where theyll be tomorrow. 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. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. Try again later. 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. His mother, Louise, and his sister, Kathy Reese, ran the business until Louise died, in 2005, leaving Reese in charge. Please enter your email and password to sign in. The Texas burger landscape is more competitive than ever, thanks to an influx of regional mini-chains such as Austins P. Terrys, the Metroplexs Twisted Root Burger Co., and Houstons Becks Prime and smaller national chains such as Smashburger, Five Guys, and Shake Shack. 1967 Press Photo Plane Crash Kill Harmon Dobson & Luther Sneed Restaurant Owners Condition: -- Price: US $10.00 Buy It Now Add to cart Add to Watchlist Returns accepted Ships from United States Shipping: US $4.99Standard Shipping | See details Located in: Memphis, Tennessee, United States Delivery: 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. 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. Online ordering through Whataburgers app and website debuted in 2019. Family tree of Harmon Dobson - Geneastar 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. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. I had no idea that the founder of Whataburger started in the oil business! They were finally recovered earlier this month after five months of rescue attempts. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Whataburger and Ed Nelson was promoted to President in 2019. The ceremony wasnt mere sentiment at work. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. 0 cemeteries found in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, USA. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. The first drive-thru was installed in 1971. (Dobson remains as chairman.) After he was killed in a plane crash in 1967, his wife, Grace, took . 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. Yet despite its success, Whataburgers history has included some setbacks. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. In the past, corporate simply approved such requests, as stipulated under the 1993 settlement. Harmon Dobson - Wikipedia Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. Unflinching, she steadfastly refused. 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. Grace Dobson, also known as Lady Grace, is the famous face behind the Whataburger empire. [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. Months later, Harmon raised the prices for burgers to 35 cents. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Harmon Archibald Dobson (1913-1967) - Find a Grave Memorial Thats what made me mad, made me want to fight, Grace told biographers. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. 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! [4] The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. 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. 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. This was a very interesting story to tell! 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. She was very excited about that." The main reason for the move was for oil. Dobson wrote about his success during the first couple of days Whataburger opened in his journal. An opportunity arose when Harmon discovered a niche in the auto industry. Thanks for your help! Eventually, more people came to eat the fresh, large burgers. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? And never forgetting where we started. For many years the Andrews family has been instrumental to Whataburgers success. 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. This was a very interesting story as I am always buying Whataburger and hear that is was once a family restaurant but never really took the time to read and learn about the story. There was a festive atmosphere in first class that. Lawrence Jagmin, of . 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. 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. The larger burgers that could be found back in the 1950s were served on 4-inch buns. However, news broke out in June 2019 that Whataburger sold a controlling interest in the company to Chicago- based investment banking firm BDT Capital. It was such a smart marketing move to drop flyers, coupons, and carry a Whataburger banner in the air. Harlon Gerry Dobson, of Pittsgrove Township, N.J., died Saturday at Crozier Chester Medical Center in this Philadelphia suburb, where he . 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. He took jobs at the county fair and as an apprentice iron worker. 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. He purchased a frozen custard stand called Dairy King in Big Spring, Texas, and ran it for a few weeks to learn the business. Pilot killed in crash near Thorsby remembered as 'skilled, beloved Under Reeses leadership, WOA repeatedly won the chains annual best franchise award. According to the lawsuit, Reese met with Atkinson, who told her that despite the agreement, Whataburger didnt believe it was obligated to approve new sites and that it could veto any sites that the franchisee selected. 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. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? This plane was easy to spot as it towed a Whataburger banner in the air and blared its duck-like airhorn.9, After every flight, business would do well. He felt like the burgers at Dairy King were too small and wanted to build a really big burger, calling it the Whataburger. 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. She threw out the ball at the field right before she got really sick. Shocked and saddened, the Whataburger family gathered around Lady Grace to comfort her and her three children in the wake of the tragedy. 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. Wikipedia. By the end of 1950, Dobson had quit both the oil and auto industries and made Whataburger his sole venture. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? I'm going to miss her, too." You can count real friends on one hand. Police received a call at 1:41 p.m that a Harmon Rocket plane crashed into a field near Township Road 504 and Range Road 21, and then caught fire. In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature officially recognized what Texans had known for more than 50 years: Whataburger is a designated a Texas Treasure.' 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. based on information from your browser. The first Whataburger was served 66 years ago today in South Texas - mySA This browser does not support getting your location. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16533251/harmon-archibald-dobson. 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. Whataburger moved its Home Office to San Antonio from Corpus Christi in 2009. 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. Im glad to read that Tom Dobson, his son, was able to continue the legacy that was left by his father. Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. Eventually, Jim Peterson became the new CEO, but he left a negative impact on the company. Whataburgers Facebook page reached 1 million fans in 2013, just over a year after its launch. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? 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. More than seven decades ago, an adventurous and determined entrepreneur named Harmon Dobson had a bold idea: to serve a burger so big that it took two hands to hold, and so good that after a single bite customers couldn't help but exclaim, What a burger! He named his humble burger stand, located on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, Whataburger.. 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. The burger chain has large hamburgers, skinny long fries, creamy milkshakes, and more. [7] The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) summary classifies the accident type as a stall. 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. I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. In the early years, Graces oldest son, Tom, enjoyed helping Harmon make the root beer at Whataburger. Ben Cauley survived the crash and James Alexander was not on the plane. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? In Reeses telling, the states most famous burger joint has become just another greedy corporate entity. There was an error deleting this problem. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. And on May 6, 1999, Whataburger by the Bay opened in Corpus Christi as a tribute to Whataburger's upcoming 50th anniversary. Following that, the adventurous Dobson traveled to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf to help build a refinery. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? ! The airplane operated on a flight from Stephenville-Ernest Harmon AFB, NL (YJT) to Terceira-Lajes AFB, Azores (TER). Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. Unfortunately, Coy was protective of Grace and had warned her about dating his unsettled, gallivanting brother. Dobson's journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. 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, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-124C Globemaster II 52-1062 I like to write, listen to music, and read about fashion. Ive always enjoyed eating the food there and its a top 3 fast food chain for me. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. 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. Peterson resigned in 1993. He charged a pricy 25 cents since the burgers were better quality than the competitors burgers. Despite the leadership turmoil, the two companies continued operating under the 1993 agreement for more than twenty years, and tensions seemed to have eased. Whatabusiness! - Texas Monthly I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. 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. The Dobsons son, Tom, became Whataburgers chief executive in 1993. 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. Harmons parents, Hugh and Ethel, raised cattle and fed the family fresh beef, milk, and home-grown vegetables. The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. By the company's seventh decade, Whataburger had grown from a single burger stand in Corpus Christi to an 800-restaurant chain that spanned every state from Arizona to Florida. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. They have also hosted Wow fund-raising events where they combine fun community activities with charitable giving. The Whataburger Jr. was added to the menu, as were jalapeos and onion rings. It was an instant success, and Harmon began to expand the business to other markets. September 23, 1952- I never expected anything like this. Other publicly traded restaurant companies have made similar moves recently. 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. However, news broke out in June 2019 that Whataburger sold a controlling interest in the company to Chicago- based investment banking firm BDT Capital. 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. Because of World War II, auto manufacturing plants had been repurposed to produce wartime products. 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. Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. Dobson, an Arkansas native, married Harmon Dobson in . Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Learn more about merges. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. On April 11, 1967, Dobson and an associate died in an airplane crash, and Dobson's widow, Grace, took control of the business. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. how privileged we are to have been in a partnership with you for this long.. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. I never knew anything about the man who created it and i found it hilarious that he wanted people to say what a burger! . The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. Year should not be greater than current year. Whatalife: Harmon Dobson, the Founder of Whataburger Daniel Vaughn is the countrys first barbecue editor, and he has eaten more barbecue than you have. A host of new menu items was unveiled, including the Whatameal, the A.1. Thick & Hearty Burger, cookies, biscuits, chicken strips and more. 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's is not the only plane crash to go against the drop in accidents that the War Department are reporting. Tragedy struck the Whataburger family in 1967 when a plane crash took the life of Harmon Dobson. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. 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. 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. And You Thought Feral Hogs Were Bad. Great article! She did not like to drive, so for years he picked her up and drove her to monthly USO meetings. cemeteries found in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. In 1959, the first Whataburger restaurant outside of the state of Texas opened in Pensacola, Florida.[5]. However, Dobson found success to be lonely. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Harmon Archibald Dobson I found on Findagrave.com. Dobson faced financial challenges. In a short time, Dobson had an impressive business. 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. The plane, a Harmon Rocket, caught fire following the crash. 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. 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. [5] In 1963, Whataburger opened its first location in Arizona totaling the number of stores 26. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967.