James “Jim” Adolf Harms, died surrounded by his family on August, 5, 2022 at Hillcrest Care Center in Wray, Colorado at the age of 92 years old.
Jim was born on June 22, 1930 in Hyde Colorado to Edith and Adolf Harms.
Jim was one of eight children and attended school in Hyde through the 8th grade. One of Jim’s fondest memories growing up was when his parents would drop their Christmas presents from above, so they landed outside the window like it had fallen off Santa’s sleigh. Another memory was as a young man, he would walk from his house to the railroad tracks where he would gather coal to warm his family’s home. He attended church regularly as a child and was confirmed in Otis at the old church. He spent most of his childhood helping his dad on the family farm and in his later school years, stayed home to work instead of attending school.
Jim met his wife Jane of 71 years through his sister Joyce. They were friends and schoolmates, and Joyce introduced the two at a local football game. As they began dating, Jim would regularly visit Jane at her home and he would always bring a gallon of ice cream to share with her family. They spent their time together going to town to attend a movie or go roller skating.
Jim was drafted to the United States Army on November 23, 1951 and Jim wanted to married Jane prior to leaving for the military. Jim and Jane were married on December 29th, 1951 in a church ceremony in Yuma Colorado. Shortly after their wedding, Jim was sent to Fort Bliss Texas for Army training. During his training, Jim sustained a back injury, and it was discovered that he suffered from Spina bifida. As a result of his injury, he was honorably discharged from military service.
Upon his return, Jim and Jane resided north of Otis and he worked for Washington County in Akron Colorado as mechanic and later worked in the mechanic shop at Spicknalls in Akron for many years. Jim and Jane welcomed their first child, C Jay in January of 1953. Two years later, Jim and Jane bought their first home in Otis, Colorado. Their second child Sharon was born in 1956 but passed away due to pregnancy complications. Jim and Jane enjoyed their time as a growing family and spent a lot of time in Denver shopping for antiques and going to garage sales. Jim enjoyed gardening and working on cars that he would fix up and trade. They welcomed their third child Karen in October of 1962. Jim worked at John Deer as a mechanic for a short time before starting a long career with YW Electric where he worked until his retirement.
Jim and Jane enjoyed raising their children and spending time with family and friends. They were active members of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Otis. Jim served on the church board, sang in the choir, was an usher and occasionally taught Sunday school. Jim and Jane took pride in decorating for the church for the holidays and especially enjoyed going to get the alter Christmas Tree and Easter Lilies. They were part of the committee to organize the Church Christmas Bizarre and enjoyed helping the event to be a success year after year.
Jim served with the Otis Lyons club as well as the Yuma VFW. He was a volunteer with the Otis Fire Department and for many years would dress up as Santa for the Christmas Eve candy deliveries.
Jim lived a long life doing all the things he loved including boating, painting ceramics, fishing, mechanic and trading cars, cooking and making homemade ice cream, wood working, gardening, babysitting his grandkids, playing cards and marbles, watching all-star wrestling, picking pumpkins and decorating the outdoor of their home with Christmas lights resulting in several wins in the town decorating contest.
He is survived by his wife Jane; Wray, CO, Son C. Jay Harms; Pleasanton, CA/Wray, CO, daughter Karen Pariset; Fairbanks, AK; grandchildren Kenda Enney (Larry); Thornton, CO, Curtis Harms (Jennifer);Dacono, CO, Meggan Carter (Marcus); Vernon, CO, Gregg Pariset (Ali); Wray, CO, Matt Pariset (Alexa); Greeley, CO, 14 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Jim is proceeded in death by his parents, siblings, and his daughter.
Visitation and Viewing were held on Saturday August 13, 2022 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Wray, Colorado. Funeral service followed the viewing at Calvary Lutheran Church, and gravesite service was held at the Otis Cemetery.
2022-08-25