Earl Frederick "Jigs" Harms, Jr.
Feb 6,1921 - Dec 5, 2012
Posted by: Jo Aguirre

Earl “Jigs” Harms, 91, of Perry, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 with his family by his side. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at the Perry Church of Christ. Public visitation will be held from 12pm-8pm on Friday and the Harms family will greet friends at the funeral home from 6pm-8pm on Friday evening.

Earl Frederick Harms Jr. was born on February 6, 1921 in Leedy, OK to Earl Frederick and Annetah Rosalee (Barten) Harms. He was raised in the Leedy area, eventually moving to West Plains, MO where he graduated high school. In 1947, Jigs moved to Perry, OK to begin a lifelong career as a welder. On January 7, 1951, he married the love of his life and his best friend, Garnett McNally in Perry. This union lasted for nearly 62 years. Earl spent several years working for the Voigt-Frailey Co. as a welder. In the early 1960’s, he founded the Harms Welding Service where he worked until his retirement in 1986.

Since retirement, Jigs spent his time as a gentleman farmer, raising chickens, pigs, and various other animals and crops. He maintained his large garden and continued to raise chickens into his 90’s. There wasn’t much that he could not build or repair. If he wasn’t on the farm, chances are that he could be found at the Perry Church of Christ where he served as an elder and more recently as a deacon. Earl had a profound love for the Lord and enjoyed serving in any capacity that the church needed him.

Jigs was a kind man who was extremely generous and who never met a stranger. He was always active and usually ornery. He possessed a quiet strength and was always dependable. He instilled a great work ethic and values in his family and he was never happier than when he was spending time with them. Earl “Jigs” Harms was a dedicated husband, a caring father, a proud grandpa, a loyal follower of Christ, and a trusted friend to many people. He will be dearly missed.

Jigs was preceded in death by his parents, a brother: Lyle Harms and a sister: Iris Rosser.

He is survived by his loving wife, Garnett, of the home. Three children: Donis Krohmer and husband Larry, Of Katy, TX. Marilyn Russell and husband Larry, Of Katy, TX. Joe Harms and wife Dana, of Perry, OK. 9 Grandchildren: Brad Russell, Brett Russell, Gabe Krohmer, Rachel Russell, Traci Russell, Lacey Navarro, Alana Harms, Lucas Navarro, and Dustin Schweer. He is also survived by 4 great grandchildren and one more on the way.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.perrycares.com or on facebook at www.facebook.com/pmcfh

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Harms Engineering Scholarship at Oklahoma Christian University in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home, 203 Fir St, Perry, OK 73077