based on information from your browser. On April 10, 1967, Dobson needed to fly to Beaumont, Texas for business and wanted someone to come along with him. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? The Dobsons son, Tom, became Whataburgers chief executive in 1993. 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. [8] The crash killed Dobson and his business associate. 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 died when his private plane, a Cessna Skymaster, crashed shortly after takeoff. You have funeral questions, we have answers. In June Dallas-based Brinker International, which owns Chilis and Maggianos Little Italy, unveiled a plan to buy franchises to boost earnings. Thats when they look at me through squinted eyes and really say, Yeah, Right!! Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. 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. Even the grandchildren work at Whataburger and attend company meetings. Ive always associated Whataburger with Texas and learning more about an integral part of Texan culture was enjoyable. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Harmon Dobson | Military Wiki | Fandom Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. He was not afraid to tell people if they did not meet his standards.. Statue of the Founder of Whataburger, Corpus Christi, Texas So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. 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. His mother, Louise, and his sister, Kathy Reese, ran the business until Louise died, in 2005, leaving Reese in charge. Having lived in Texas for the 18 years of my life, I found it really interesting to finally know the full history of Whataburger. Failed to remove flower. 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. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. Tragedy struck the Whataburger family in 1967 when a plane crash took the life of Harmon Dobson. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. He purchased a frozen custard stand called Dairy King in Big Spring, Texas, and ran it for a few weeks to learn the business. 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. Also on board and killed was soul singer Otis Redding . She was very excited about that." It was very smart of Dobson to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers so that his business to boom even more. Born:? "I considered myself lucky to be a friend of Grace. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson and they became Whataburger's First Couple. Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. 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. So proud & so tired.17. Dobson wrote about his success during the first couple of days Whataburger opened in his journal. A host of new menu items was unveiled, including the Whatameal, the A.1. Thick & Hearty Burger, cookies, biscuits, chicken strips and more. September 23, 1952- I never expected anything like this. Learn more about managing a memorial . Published by Corpus-Christi Caller-Times on Sep. 3, 2005. Dobson was raised in a small rural farming community of Cushman, Arkansas. The plane, a Harmon Rocket, caught fire following the crash. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. 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. Months later, Harmon raised the prices for burgers to 35 cents. However, everything changed when Dobson was put in charge of the refinerys mess hall, and it was here that his education in large-scale food service began. During this time he traveled to North Africa where he helped build a U.S. Navy base and worked on airplane hangars, radio towers, tanks, and whatever else the Navy needed. However, early on Burton and Dobson found that their differing business philosophies were undeniable. However, news broke out in June 2019 that Whataburger sold a controlling interest in the company to Chicago- based investment banking firm BDT Capital. DeLaughters Is the Little Grocery Store That Could, The Daughter of a Barbecue Family Takes Tradition in a New Direction, The Old Orange Cafe Is a Piece of Local History, Gen Zs Homemade Tortillas Could Use an Upgrade. The very first WhataGames, the company's biennial burger Olympic competition for Team Members, was held. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. The company also said it didnt intend for the 1993 settlement to give WOA exclusive rights or lower royalties. Also, Whataburger expanded to places such as Las Vegas and Memphis, where the company was unknown, leading to a lack of customers purchasing food. Wow! Our History: The Whataburger Story We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. The pragmatic Lady Grace rolled up her sleeves and got to work, teaching her children the family business along the way. Four of six Bar-Kays members died: Ronnie Caldwell, Phalon Jones, Jimmy King and Carl Cunningham. Learn more about merges. 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,. Decades-old military plane wreckage found in Alaska glacier, may give On July 19, 1989, one of the most dramatic events in aviation unfolded in the skies over Iowa as heroic pilots battled to land a crippled DC-10. Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks celebrated a ground-breaking ceremony with Grace throwing out the first pitch. However, after only four months, Dobson grew restless and returned to the U.S. By August of that year, he returned home. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. By the end of 1950, Dobson had quit both the oil and auto industries and made Whataburger his sole venture. But perhaps because his dear friend Harmon Dobson was gone, his personal connection no longer seemed to mean as much as it once did. Dobson's journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. The main reason for the move was for oil. 1967. I found this sad and interesting. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. Heisman Trophy winner turned airman found safe after 10 days in jungle This was a very interesting story to tell! I'm going to miss her, too." Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. Whatabattle! - Texas Monthly Neither Whataburger nor Whataburger of Alice would be what it is today without the other. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. 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. Theres no question that Whataburger, if managed properly in the public market, could deliver a significant return, he says. "It was a friendship that grew and grew," Sheka said. There were nine crew members on board. Dobson, an Arkansas native, married Harmon Dobson in . The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. 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. 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. [7], In his will, Dobson left the company to his wife, Grace Dobson, who at the time was encouraged to sell the company. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Whataburger was a burgeoning business, but profits were minimal. Harmon Dobson - Wikiwand In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. Harmon Dobson - Google Search There is a problem with your email/password. At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. It was interesting to me reading about the founder of this fast food chain Whtaburger, and all the dedication he put towards his work, I think is very tragic and unfortunate the way Dobson died, he would have accomplished much more succeses during his life time. Dobson's journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. It was the first Whataburger restaurant outside the state of Texas. Contents 1 Early life 2 Whataburger 3 Death 4 References Early life The Dobson family and their extended Whataburger family rallied around and supported Grace as she took over the business. Ricky Nelson and Six Others Die As Their Plane Crashes in Texas Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Harlon Gerry Dobson, of Pittsgrove Township, N.J., died Saturday at Crozier Chester Medical Center in this Philadelphia suburb, where he . Unfortunately, Coy was protective of Grace and had warned her about dating his unsettled, gallivanting brother. Its not surprising that people might want a bigger piece of that pie.. An opportunity arose when Harmon discovered a niche in the auto industry. Family members linked to this person will appear here. By the end of 1936, he had a net worth of $35,000. I love Whataburger and it is a Texas staple. On August 8, 1950, the first Whataburger opened at 2609 Ayers Street. Five of the crew died while waiting, and the remaining seven . Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Angel was a bit more adventurous than Dobson, though both crashed several times in Africa while mining for diamonds. After experiencing numerous losses that caused him to lose over $5,000, Dobson returned to the U.S. Dobson began by doing dozens of quick auto deals before returning to Texas to scout for oil. BDT is a merchant bank that invests in family-owned companies. By 1949, Dobson was done with diamonds and began searching for a safe place to land. He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. Dobson faced financial challenges. Proving everyone wrong, Grace lived her entire life in the same house that her husband bought her. In 1934, Dobson started work as an apprentice ironworker, he later became a shipbuilder at the start of World War II. In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature officially recognized what Texans had known for more than 50 years: Whataburger is a designated a Texas Treasure.' In addition to a legacy of giving, Lady Grace made sure to instill her children with hard work and Whataburger values. He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. I had no idea that the founder, Harmon Dobson, was not originally from here. 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. Tom officially took over Whataburger in 1993 and is still company chairman today. The Whataburger Jr. was added to the menu, as were jalapeos and onion rings. The History of and Story Behind Whataburger Logo - Money Inc 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. 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. He died when his private plane, a Cessna Skymaster, crashed shortly after takeoff. Please try again later. Corpus Christi is going to miss Grace Dobson. [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. Peterson resigned in 1993. Its a little like a public divorceneither side walks away looking good, says Michelle Hartmann, a Dallas attorney who specializes in private-company litigation. August 10, 1950- I came to Corpus Wed. Paul finally opened Tuesday [August 8] $50 first day, $79 yesterday & $62 today. 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. 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. 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. Following that, the adventurous Dobson traveled to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf to help build a refinery. Whataburger founder Harmon Dobson stands in front of his first . In 1959, the first Whataburger restaurant outside of the state of Texas opened in Pensacola, Florida.[5]. So proud & so tired.17. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. By 1960, Whataburger had 17 restaurants. 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. Ford Heights plane crash: Small plane crashes near I-394 and Lincoln Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. UPLAND, Pa. (AP) _ A former New Jersey state trooper severely injured in the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa, last month has died, a hospital spokeswoman said. BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Whataburger and Ed Nelson was promoted to President in 2019. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. 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. 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! The new CEO and president of Whataburger was Tom Dobson, the son of Harmon and Grace Dobson. To this day, giving is a huge part of the Whataburger dynasty. 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. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Harmon Archibald Dobson I found on Findagrave.com. in 2013. Dobson filled that need by buying used autos from urban areas like Detroit, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and selling them back in Batesville for huge profits. . We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Amanda's Corpus Christi History: Plane Crash - Blogger ), 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. 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. 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. He charged a pricy 25 cents since the burgers were better quality than the competitors burgers. Harmon Archibald Dobson was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. Mary Lynne and Hugh are both members of the board of directors. Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. There was a problem getting your location. Whataburger, which saw San Antonio as a key growth market, filed suit to block the sale. This is the era in which country music legend Mel Tillis started appearing in television commercials for the company, a role that would continue through the 80s. [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. Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. New menu additions soon followed, including the Breakfast On A Bun, Whatachick'nand the now-famous breakfast Taquitos. 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. The burger chain has large hamburgers, skinny long fries, creamy milkshakes, and more. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. A system error has occurred. 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. On April 11, 1967, Dobson and an associate died in an airplane crash, and Dobson's widow, Grace, took control of the business. Ways to honor Grace Dobson's life and legacy. Te damos 5 razones para no perderte el Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich y la Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. However, Dobson found success to be lonely. As a standard for mythical tall tales and legends, it comes as no surprise that Texas holds the national corner on stories of lost treasure. Were not making much profit but at least they are going fast for our product.7, August 12, 1950- Big Day 141.80 What a workhouse 551 hamburgers.8, Dobson realized the presentation of his burgers mattered. And while we now serve hot, fresh food at more than 890 Whataburgers across the country, that burger stand in Corpus Christi is never far from our hearts. This was interesting article especially since it was about a burger that is highly famous here in Texas. A brief period of military camels in Texas became lost to even most history books. The meeting between Pierce and the rich soil of the coastal plains of Texas might have been destiny. 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.. The number of locations doubled to more than 200 restaurants. Born: October 8, 1913, Wayne, OK. Died: 1967, La Porte, TX. (Dobson family members also may be ready to cash out.) These days, Whataburger doesnt seem so grateful. Family tree of Harmon Dobson - Geneastar Serving it hot and fresh, 24/7. In 2001, the Whataburger Family Foundation officially began, though the charitable efforts had been ongoing since day one. Please enter your email and password to sign in. This time, however, it indicated that it wasnt inclined to do so. 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. Early life [ edit] It is crazy that he died in a plane crash. 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. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at Whatastore in 2013. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. 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. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. Police say the Harmon Rocket a two-seat sport plane caught fire after the crash, and both a man and a woman were found deceased inside the aircraft. [2], Dobson moved to Texas, where he co-founded the first Whataburger with Paul Burton, who was looking to open a hamburger restaurant. 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. They have jalapeo eating contests, giveaways, and appearances from the company mascot, Whataguy. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16533251/harmon-archibald-dobson. 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. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. 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. I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. At first, Harmon was content to help his parents on the farm, but his wanderlust eventually returned, calling him elsewhere. 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. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. You can always change this later in your Account settings. The price of burgers was raised to 30 cents, and to Burtons chagrin, customers did not mind. It hurts the brand ultimately.. Along the way they talked about old times and old friends. For many years the Andrews family has been instrumental to Whataburgers success. Read more: 2 dead after small plane crashes near Thorsby: Alberta . They are memories Sheka said he will treasure. But the rift between the Andrews family and the burger chain they helped build represents a struggle between the past and the present, and between two families who have known each other for a long time. [7] The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) summary classifies the accident type as a stall. In 1953 , Joe Andrews received the first Whataburger franchise, and business was booming. In 1956 and 1957, respectively, they had a daughter named Mary Lynne and a son named Hugh Carlton. ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-124C Globemaster II 52-1062 With time, they started to expand more outside Texas because Texans gave this restaurant a gold star. 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. Harmon's is not the only plane crash to go against the drop in accidents that the War Department are reporting. The company also passed the 500-store threshold, making it the nation's eighth-largest hamburger chain. Each and every Whataburger is still made to orderwhen it's ordered. To use this feature, use a newer browser. It was also surprising to me that Whataburgers exists in other states. 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. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. As a devout Whataburger customer this article was fascinating. After he was killed in a plane crash in 1967, his wife, Grace, took . She also gave copious amounts of her time and money back to Corpus Christi and the state. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. Normally, they look at me skeptically as if to say,Yeah, Right!! They were finally recovered earlier this month after five months of rescue attempts. 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. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. (Dobson remains as chairman.) Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. . When he opened the first stand, on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, he envisioned selling a burger big enough that it would take two hands to hold it.