William Morton Harcum

Harcum, William Morton, 90, a long time resident of Laguna Beach, died peacefully in Mission Viejo Hospital on December 1, 2011 with friends at his side. Born in New York City on August 16th 1921 to Elizabeth Tennent Harcum and William Morton Harcum Sr., he later served with the 27th Division of the Mechanized Cavalry in Europe under General Patton from 1942–1944. While training prior to deployment in Europe, he was stationed at Fort Ord in Monterey California. There he fell in love with the west coast, so much so that he relocated to California in 1944. A loving and dutiful son, he brought his parents with him as he initially settled in Monterey Park and began a career as an engineer with Square D Electronics and Giannini Plasmadyne. In 1957 he relocated to Laguna Beach and within two years began a successful career as a realtor. In 1962 he and lifetime friend Joe Horn opened Harcum & Horn Real Estate office, the first such business located on Glenneyre Street. His significant success was reflected in his election as President of the Laguna Beach Board of Realtors in 1965 & 1966, and in his selection as Realtor of the Year in 1965. An active resident of Laguna Beach, he was also a member of the Laguna Beach Lion’s Club, served as President of the Laguna Moulton Playhouse in 1970, as well as Director for the California Real Estate Association. He enjoyed and active vibrant social life as well, traveling extensively throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. In a more private vein, he took much pleasure from gardening and painting. Most importantly, he cultivated a large community of lifelong, dedicated friends who will miss his unfailing good humor, his vibrant wit, and his gentle and graceful charm. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea not far from the sunny beaches he so loved. He is survived by cousins Rae Anderson of Powhattan Virginia, Dorothy Hamilton and Charles Balfour Tennent III of Richmond Virginia.