Calvin H. Harms, 92, of Lexington, died December 14th at his home. 
He was born June 4, 1925 in Green Ridge, MO to George and Laura (Muller) Harms.
He graduated from Windsor High School and joined the service after graduation, enlisting himself in WWII as soon as he was able.
He served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II, stationed in Guam as a part of the 457th Bombardment Squadron and 330th bombardment group. He started out as an aerial gunner, but due to air sickness, became an airplane electrical mechanic. He finished his active service as a munitions worker for 19 months, specializing as an aviation ordinance man, responsible for the maintenance of bombs, pyrotechnics, guns, and other ammunition on a B-29 bomber outfit. Upon learning of his air sickness, he was grateful to be able to perform the duties he was assigned, even though he could no longer fly as he was trained and desired to do.
Calvin was discharged as a Corporal and he continues to be very proud of having served his country.
He earned the Distinguished Unit Badge, APT Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon, and military qualification as a carbine sharpshooter
After his honorable discharge in 1946, Calvin returned home to Missouri to marry his fiancée, Madeleine Estelle Doyle, in May of 1946, in Windsor, MO and to resume his farming career. They lived in Warrensburg until 1951 when they moved to their farm south of Higginsville. The couple raised three children in Higginsville, Missouri, and they were married for nearly 67 years before Madeleine’s passing in 2013. Calvin kept his hand in farming, after retirement, by helping his son-in-law, Steve Gates, and later, his grandson, Stuart, after Steve’s death.
He was a member of the Liberty Baptist Church, in Fayetteville, MO, for 69 years and served as Deacon for 36 years. He was a Sunday school teacher; on the finance, nominating and baptismal committees at church and church moderator.
Calvin was a proud, dedicated, active farmer. He was a past president of the Lafayette County 4-H board, and involved in the Hazel Dell 4-H Club as a project leader for 15 years. He was also very actively involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s 4-H projects especially the livestock projects. He, himself, also showed Yorkshire hogs at the Missouri State Fair in the open division.
He was a member of the American Yorkshire Club, Inc., the Missouri Yorkshire Association, the Soybean Association and the Corn Growers Association, the Pork Producers of Lafayette and Henry counties, and American Angus Association.
In 2011 through the Honor Flight program, he was able to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC for the first time, where he and other fellow WWII veterans were honored for their service to our nation. He was also honored at a Royals game in 2015 during the "Our Heroes Program" for his service in WWII after his granddaughter, Calleine, nominated him for the honor for his 90th birthday.
Calvin enjoyed duck, goose, quail and deer hunting. He also enjoyed fishing when he had time. He loved dogs, yard work and gardening; and was a member of the VFW.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Madeleine; brother, Leonard; sisters, Cora Elliott, May Wiskur, Lillie Harris.
He is survived by:
Son: Terry Harms (Betsy) of Phoenix, AZ
Daughters: Janice Gates of Napoleon
Barbara Harms of Independence
Grandchildren: Stephen Gates (Adriana), Stephanie Lawson (Jason), Stuart Gates (Elisabeth), Tiffany Harms-Howard, Tina Harms, John Harms, Calleine Harms
Great Grandchildren: Shelby, Winnie, Kierstyn, Jana, Schyler, Lillie, Taylor, Tatum, Chase, Dominic, Samantha, Brandon
Numerous nieces and nephews
Visitation will be held Monday, December 18th from 6-7 pm at Kaiser ~Wiegers Funeral Home, Higginsville
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, December 19th at 11:30 am at the Liberty Baptist Church, Fayetteville, MO, officiated by Lawrence Adams, First Sergeant, retired.
Pallbearers are: Tom White, Andrew White, Buck Counts, Paul Hix, Stephen Gates, John Harms, David Harris
He will be buried at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery
Memorials are suggested to Honor Flight Network of KC, PO Box 46718, Kansas City, MO 64188
Kaiser-Wiegers Funeral Home
