Vernon Paul Harms

In Loving Memory - Vernon Paul Harms

Celebrating a Life of Love, Dedication, and Legacy

Vernon Paul Harms died peacefully in his sleep on June 19th, 2025, at the La Posada home he loved in Green Valley, Arizona. The legacy of his 98 years of life will continue to resonate in the hearts of the hundreds of people he counseled and helped as he served in various ministries.

Vern is predeceased by his parents, Rev. Henry R. Harms and Maggie Thiessen/Harms, and all of his siblings - brothers: Merle, Art, Andy, Daniel, and Harold, and sisters: Martha, Florence, Cindy, and Ann. Vern's first wife, Mayra (Peters) Harms, died in 2020 and his second wife, Julia (Church) Harms, passed away in 2022. Vern is survived by his three sons: Vic (& Natalie) Harms, Joe (& Christine) Harms, and Byron Harms, his step-children: Steve Church, Dale and Mindy (Church) Penny, Tom Church, and Tracy (Church) Arnn, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Vern was born on November 5th, 1926, to a poor "dust bowl" family in Meade, Kansas. He was a sickly child but his parents nursed him to health and he became a very active ranch hand. He broke his first wild horse at the age of 13. Vern would rise before the sun, milk the cows, saddle his horse, and ride his trap lines - all before going to school.

Vern's late-teen years were a rebellious stage in life. He drank a lot, smoked three packs a day, and rode motorcycles with the wrong crowd. He ran illegal whiskey from "wet" Nebraska to "dry" Kansas! Vern's mother told him he wouldn't live to see 20 if he continued this way. One night, completely drunk, at 70 mph, he ran his motorcycle through a guard rail and nearly killed himself. Later that month, thanks to the faithful prayers of his godly mother, he placed his trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior - and everything changed.

Vernon Harms graduated from Bible college and married an energetic, beautiful, farm girl from Corn, Oklahoma - Mayra Peters - on July 10th, 1950. They both planned to serve in Ecuador as missionaries but their visas were denied. Vern then turned his focus to pastoring and, throughout his life, he started three churches: Crestview Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Heartland Bible Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Oak Lake Bible Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Vern earned his pilot license while pastoring the church in Hutchinson and began to sell Cessna aircraft to support the family. He grew to love flying and later became director of marketing for Lear Jet - selling 47 jets in one year. Vern was the consummate salesman - he had a strong charisma, a sharp mind for details, a head full of stories to use at just the right moment, and boundless energy.

Unfortunately, Vern's strong work ethic led to distance in his marriage and, in 1980, he and Mayra were divorced.

Vern moved to Oregon to be near relatives, where he met a lovely, classy lady named Julia (Fisher) Church. They were married on December 4th, 1981. They became snowbirds for about ten years, living near Bend, Oregon, during most of the year and Green Valley, Arizona, for the winters. They moved permanently to Green Valley in 1989 and soon Vern joined the Department of Public Safety as a volunteer chaplain. Then, in August 2003, they moved to La Posada - "One of the best decisions I ever made," Vern later said.

Although he started and pastored three churches, and sold many Cessna and Lear aircraft, he often said that serving as a DPS chaplain was the most rewarding and enjoyable ministry he'd ever had. He loved riding along with first responders, listening to their struggles, praying for them, and counseling them.

Vern simply loved people. He would light up any room when he entered and jump into conversation with friends or strangers, and always leave them laughing. It was challenging to have a meal with him because he'd stop at this table to talk, then that table, then another table - he just couldn't walk by people he knew without saying a few words - and he knew everyone!

Vernon's life was a testimony of the power of God to change a person. His mother was right - if Vern hadn't surrendered his life to Christ, he probably wouldn't have reached 20 years of age. Vern knew this and would always give God the credit for his love for others and the way God used him to impact so many lives.

Vern's death leaves a significant void, but the lessons he left us - how to sincerely love people, how to be generous with our time and resources, and how to live life with passion and purpose - these will endure in each of us who had the privilege of knowing Vernon Harms.

A celebration of Vernon's life will be held at 10:00am on July 12th, 2025, at the Evangelical Free Church - 1393 W. Mission Twin Buttes Rd (Green Valley, Arizona 85622).

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to The Gideons International - https://www.gideons.org/donate - a cause that was dear to Vernon's heart.