Larry Dale Harms

1946 - 2021

Larry Dale Harms, 75, of Mora, passed away Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Brunswick Nursing and Rehab in Brunswick. He was born on September 28, 1946, north of Cole Camp, Missouri, on the family farm, a son of Martin Herman and Erna Mathilda (Holtzen) Harms.
Larry was baptized at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, attended Mora's one-room school and Lake Creek School through the eighth grade, and was confirmed at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. While living on the farm, he helped with the chores, fed cows, cut and baled hay, and worked the crops. In 1964, he graduated from Cole Camp High School and was a member of FFA. After graduation, he went to work for Harvey Heimsoth of Corder on a harvest crew . He traveled with the harvest crew for two years and then returned to Mora to work for Mora Lumber Company.
In 1966, he was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Larry served his country honorably in the infantry division, where he was wounded in battle. After he recovered, he returned to his outfit only to be wounded in battle again. This time he was hospitalized and his recovery took over a year. During his time in the service, he was awarded two bronze stars and two purple hearts. He returned to his job at Mora Lumber Company, where he worked for forty-two years before retiring.
In 1970, he was united in marriage to Connie Carver and was blessed with the gift of a son, Heath. In 1991, he met Dorothy Herndon at the Cole Camp Fair and for thirty years they shared each other's company.
Larry was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post 305 in Cole Camp. He loved to watch his grandkids play sports, take his running dogs out on coyote hunts, go mushroom hunting, go to casinos in search of seafood, and play pitch. In his younger years, he enjoyed riding horses, participating in team roping events, and playing slow pitch softball. He could be found six days a week with his friends at the "round table" for breakfast.
He is survived by a son, Heath Harms and his wife Shelly of Mendon; three grandsons, Hayden, Hudson, and Huston Harms; his long-time companion, Dorothy Herndon of the home and her son, Michael Goldsmith and his wife Melissa of Fredericktown, her three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Florine Goosen of Smithton, Alice Lee and her husband Glen of Sedalia, and Deanna Balke of Cole Camp; two brothers, Harold Harms of Cole Camp and Eldon Harms and his wife Elsie of Cole Camp; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Erna Harms, three sisters, Elvera Harms, Delphine Harms, and Ruth Ann Harms, and three brothers, Marvin Harms, Ervin Harms, and Milton Harms.
The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 10, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp with funeral services to be held at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Gregory Truwe officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery near Cole Camp, with military honors by the American Legion Post No. 305 of Cole Camp.
Pallbearers will be Robbie Balke, Darren Balke, Greg Harms, Scott Harms, Wayne Goosen, Terry Harms, Rusty Harms, Stanley Harms, Randy Harms, Dennis Goosen, Keith Harms, Steve Harms, and Rick Balke. Honorary pallbearers will be Hayden Harms, Hudson Harms, Huston Harms, Don Holtzen, Charlie Grother, and Larry Viebrock.