1920
Lawrence
2015
Lawrence C. Harms
November 5, 1920 — November 20, 2015
Rio Hondo:
Lawrence Harms went to be with his Heavenly Father November 20, 2015 at 2:47 PM. He was born November 5, 1920 in Whitewater, Kansas to Sophia Schmidt Harms and Edwin Harms.
His mother Sophia died when Lawrence was 3 years old; his father later married Luella Vogt Harms. Lawrence and his future wife Bernice Riggs met in the 11th grade of school in Burns, Kansas. They were married on October 11, 1942 at the home of her parents. At that time, Lawrence worked at Beech Aircraft in Wichita as a welder. When WWII started, he had several deferments but later decided he wanted to enlist in the Army Air Corps. (Air Force). After basic training Lawrence was sent to Goldsboro, North Carolina to a mechanic school. From there he was sent to Fort Myers, Florida to Buckingham Air Base to attend gunnery school. After graduating, he was chosen to be a gunnery instructor. He remained in Fort Myers until the air base was closed in 1946.
Then Lawrence and Bernice moved back to Burns, Kansas, where he worked at his dad’s hardware store while his brother Harry was in the service. Lawrence also worked for Grimwood Hardware until 1951, and then the Phillips 66 Petroleum Company for the next 33 years. From 1958 to 1965, Lawrence and his family lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he worked at the Phillips 66 plant. In 1965 Lawrence accepted an advancement to the Superintendent of the Phillips 66 Terminal in Rio Hondo, Texas where he later retired in 1984.
Lawrence enjoyed his retirement; he loved his family; he worshipped God regularly; and he enjoyed helping others. His actions and good deeds will live on in the Rio Hondo Community for many years to come. Everyone will miss seeing him on his motor scooter riding through town.
Lawrence is survived by his wife of 73 years, Bernice H. Riggs Harms. Sons; Alan (Peggy) Harms, and Roger (Mary Adele) Harms. Grandchildren; Melissa (Paul) Varga, Stephanie (Scott) Carmony, Amanda Harms Hellmann, Audra Harms and Jared (Emily) Harms. Great Grandchildren; Benjamin Varga, Abigail Varga, Lauren Varga, Macy Carmony, Caroline Carmony, Sophia Hellmann, and Mikayla Hellmann. Lawrence is also survived by his two sisters, Norma Bledsoe, and Arlene (Bill) Morris and many nieces and nephews.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Sophia, his step-mother Luella; and his brother Harry Harms.
The Harms family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the kind and caring staff members at the Harlingen Medical Center, Solara Hospital, and Golden Palms Nursing Center. The kindness and attention given to Lawrence (our dad, our PawPaw) during his last 9 weeks was greatly appreciated.
A family and friends gathering will be held at the Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home on Friday, November 27th from 4 – 6 PM.
Interment will be at the Mont Meta Cemetery on Saturday, November 28th at 10:00 AM. A memorial service will be held at the Rio Hondo Community Church at 11:00 AM, followed by a reception/dinner in the church basement.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Rio Hondo Community Church.
Lawrence Harms went to be with his Heavenly Father November 20, 2015 at 2:47 PM. He was born November 5, 1920 in Whitewater, Kansas to Sophia Schmidt Harms and Edwin Harms.
His mother Sophia died when Lawrence was 3 years old; his father later married Luella Vogt Harms. Lawrence and his future wife Bernice Riggs met in the 11th grade of school in Burns, Kansas. They were married on October 11, 1942 at the home of her parents. At that time, Lawrence worked at Beech Aircraft in Wichita as a welder. When WWII started, he had several deferments but later decided he wanted to enlist in the Army Air Corps. (Air Force). After basic training Lawrence was sent to Goldsboro, North Carolina to a mechanic school. From there he was sent to Fort Myers, Florida to Buckingham Air Base to attend gunnery school. After graduating, he was chosen to be a gunnery instructor. He remained in Fort Myers until the air base was closed in 1946.
Then Lawrence and Bernice moved back to Burns, Kansas, where he worked at his dad’s hardware store while his brother Harry was in the service. Lawrence also worked for Grimwood Hardware until 1951, and then the Phillips 66 Petroleum Company for the next 33 years. From 1958 to 1965, Lawrence and his family lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he worked at the Phillips 66 plant. In 1965 Lawrence accepted an advancement to the Superintendent of the Phillips 66 Terminal in Rio Hondo, Texas where he later retired in 1984.
Lawrence enjoyed his retirement; he loved his family; he worshipped God regularly; and he enjoyed helping others. His actions and good deeds will live on in the Rio Hondo Community for many years to come. Everyone will miss seeing him on his motor scooter riding through town.
Lawrence is survived by his wife of 73 years, Bernice H. Riggs Harms. Sons; Alan (Peggy) Harms, and Roger (Mary Adele) Harms. Grandchildren; Melissa (Paul) Varga, Stephanie (Scott) Carmony, Amanda Harms Hellmann, Audra Harms and Jared (Emily) Harms. Great Grandchildren; Benjamin Varga, Abigail Varga, Lauren Varga, Macy Carmony, Caroline Carmony, Sophia Hellmann, and Mikayla Hellmann. Lawrence is also survived by his two sisters, Norma Bledsoe, and Arlene (Bill) Morris and many nieces and nephews.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Sophia, his step-mother Luella; and his brother Harry Harms.
The Harms family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the kind and caring staff members at the Harlingen Medical Center, Solara Hospital, and Golden Palms Nursing Center. The kindness and attention given to Lawrence (our dad, our PawPaw) during his last 9 weeks was greatly appreciated.
A family and friends gathering will be held at the Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home on Friday, November 27th from 4 – 6 PM.
Interment will be at the Mont Meta Cemetery on Saturday, November 28th at 10:00 AM. A memorial service will be held at the Rio Hondo Community Church at 11:00 AM, followed by a reception/dinner in the church basement.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Rio Hondo Community Church.
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