The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Virgil John Harms passed away Jan. 22, 2024 at the Regent Park Nursing Home in Holyoke at the age of 96.

Virgil was born into his family home in rural Paoli on May 4, 1927. He was the first child of John and Irene Harms. He grew up on a small farm north of Paoli and attended Country Elementary School. He graduated from Haxtun High School in 1945. It was there that he met his forever sweetheart Eloise Lundburg.

After graduation, Virgil joined the Army and began his basic training in Fort Lewis, Wash. Virgil loved to tell stories including those of long military marches and his catching of fellow soldiers as they passed out while receiving their vaccinations. During his first leave from military duty, Virgil returned to Paoli and married Eloise Lundburg on Aug. 15, 1946, at the Covenant Fairfield Church. The newlyweds then made the long trip back to Washington where Virgil was later discharged as World War II came to an end.

Virgil and Eloise returned to Paoli where they eventually purchased their first and only home, living there for over 70 years. They began farming, and raised sheep, chickens and hogs. Together, Virgil and Eloise were active members of the Paoli Methodist Church and later members of the Haxtun Methodist Church.

Ever active and well known in his community, Virgil was a member of the Paoli Elevator Board as well as the Lions Club. In 1961 he became the Mayor of Paoli. A role that made him quite famous for his over 50 years of service. He was interviewed by the Denver Post and the L.A. News, and his story was televised on Channel 9 as well as CBS Good Morning America. He was again honored in September of 2019 as Grand Marshal in the Haxtun Corn Festival Parade. Virgil retired just last year after 62 years in office and was known as the politician who disliked politics.

Virgil and Eloise knew how to have fun too. They began square dancing with a local group and spent many enjoyable hours dancing with friends, traveling to other towns and states and even went on a Mexican Cruise, where they dance aboard. They enjoyed traveling and made many trips to the southern states, often picking up flatbed trailers in Oklahoma to sell in Paoli, a business, simply known as Harms Trailers.

Virgil was a man of many talents, often found on ladders or in tractors well into his 90s. He had a great ability to repair motors. He often built and designed farm equipment to meet the ever-changing agriculture needs on his farm. And every vehicle Virgil owned had a bigger engine and a louder exhaust system. His love of mechanics was shared by his sons and grandsons and many hours were spent together in his shop. Those who knew Virgil often were caught in a gift of gab, as he visited with nearly anybody telling stories, tales and reminiscing.

Survivors include his wife of 78 years, Eloise; sisters Theresa (Davis) Grogan, Haxtun, and Lorraine Green, Julesburg; children Duane Harms and his wife Kim, Paoli, Damon Harms, Paoli, and Linda Alberts, Fort Collins; grandchildren Jeffrey Harms and wife Becky, Fleming, Lisa Washington and husband Jason, Grand Junction, Cameron Alberts and wife Teagan, Fort Collins, Kirk Alberts, Gosport, England, Shelby McCall and husband Avery, Aurora, Jordan Harms, Haxtun, and Ryan Harms, Omaha, Neb.; as well as six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Virgil is preceded in death by his parents John and Irene; son Allen Ray Harms; brothers Kenneth, Orville and Dennis Harms; sister Janet Davis; son-in-law Vern Alberts; sister-in-law Bonnie Harms; and brothers-in-law Jim Davis, Tom Davis and Dewey Green.

Services were held at Haxtun Methodist Church on Jan. 26. Interment followed at the Haxtun Cemetery.

Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.