Eldon Robert Harms

1932 - 2023

Eldon Robert Harms, 90, of Cole Camp, peacefully passed away Saturday, July 15th with his family by his side at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Versailles, Missouri.
Eldon was born September 10, 1932, a son to Martin and Erna (Holtzen) Harms, was baptized at Lake Creek, Mo on September 25, 1932, and later confirmed at Holy Cross Lutheran Church on March 30, 1947. Growing up, Eldon attended Lake Creek School and after completion of 8th grade he worked on the family farm alongside his father and older brothers.
Eldon honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He served active duty in 1953 to 1954 and continued his service to his country through a lifelong involvement in the American Legion. He was a member of American Legion Post 305 where he held the post of commander, adjutant, and trustee, and had served on the color guard.
On June 9, 1957, Eldon was united in marriage to Elsie Kipp at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Stover, Missouri. This union was blessed with three children: Keith, Steve, and Loretta.
Eldon worked at Mora Lumber Company for fifteen years before he and his brother Milton purchased the business from Alvin Kroenke in 1970. He became sole owner of the business in 1980 and continued to work alongside his son Keith for many years.
He was a faithful Holy Cross Lutheran Church member and served as president, trustee, elder, Sunday school superintendent, and choir member. He sat on the Lutheran School Board during the time the Leonard C. Schnell Auditorium was built.
Eldon was an active member of the community and committed to the organizations he served. He was appointed to the Community Retirement Village Board of Directors when it was formed and served on the board for 28 years, many of those years as president. He was a charter member and past president of the Cole Camp Jaycees and was a past member of the Lion's Club, Cole Camp Chamber of Commerce, the German Club, and a singer in the German Mannerchor.
Eldon loved the Cole Camp Fair and served on the Cole Camp Fair Board for nine years, two of those as president. Over the years he was involved in numerous fair-related activities, from building floats to judging floats, selling American Legion raffle tickets, and singing along to the music in the German Beer Garden on Saturday.
When Eldon wasn't running Mora Lumber or helping in the community, he could often be seen fishing at Truman Lake or tending to the large garden he and Elsie planted every year. Above all else, Eldon deeply loved his family and took great pride in his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments.
Eldon is survived by Elsie Harms, his wife of 66 years, Keith Harms of Cole Camp, Steve (Susan) Harms of Washington, and Loretta (Thomas) Mentzer of Kansas City; three sisters, Florine Goosen of Sedalia, Alice Lee and her husband Glen of Sedalia and Deanna Balke of Cole Camp; two grandchildren Zach (Kailee) Harms of Jacksonville, Florida, and Myles Harms of Cole Camp.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church near Cole Camp with Pastor Tyler Poppen officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Post No. 305. Pallbearers will be Zach Harms, Myles Harms, Stanley Harms, Randy Harms, Rusty Harms, and Scott Harms.
The family will receive friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday July 19, 2023 at Fox Funeral Home in Cole Camp, with a prayer service to be held at 7:00 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to American Legion Post No. 305 or Holy Cross Lutheran Church in care of Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp. Online condolences may be left at www.foxfuneralhomecolecampmo.com.