A native of Wolfe City, Texas, Harlon attended East Texas State University and the University of Houston from which he received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree, Cum Laude, in accounting in 1960. After receiving his degree, Harlon worked for Sheffield, Garrett & Carter, a public accounting firm in Houston, Texas from 1960-63. On November 1, 1963, he opened a practice in Public Accounting in Dalhart, Texas. This practice has expanded into the present corporation known as Gaskill, Pharis & Pharis, L.L.P.. Harlon is a past President and a member of the Dalhart Rotary Club for 25 years. He was elected to the Dalhart Independent School District Board of Education for 5 consecutive terms, 1969-1984, and served as President and Vice-President of the Board. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the Texas Association of School Boards from 1973-1980, serving as Secretary in 1980. He was a Director of the Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the United Fund. A member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Harlon has served as President of the Parish Council, President of St. Anthony's Catholic School Board, and Chairman of the Finance Committee. Harlon is now semi-retired.

A native of Seminole, Texas, Mel Pharis received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting from Texas Tech University on August 22, 1964. Prior to completing his degree, Mel served in the U.S. Army during 1961 and 1962. From 1964 to 1971, Mel was employed as an accountant by H.L. Hunt Oil Company, Dallas, Texas. He moved to Dalhart in 1971 and has been a partner and/or principal with Gaskill, Pharis & Pharis, L.L.P. since 1973. Mel has served as a Director on the boards of Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce, Dalhart Country Club and Dalhart Lions Club. As a member of St. James Episcopal Church, he has served as Senior Warden and on the Vestry.

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