Gary Lee Harms

Gary began his life journey in January of 1949 in Denver, Colorado, the first child of Donald H. and Alma I. (Hosey) Harms.  He grew up and attended school in Brighton, Colorado, graduating with the Class of 1967.  He spent one semester at college and realized it wasn’t for him.  When he didn’t return to college Uncle Sam came calling. He spent the next 2 years in the Army, proudly serving with the 173rd Airborne in Vietnam where he earned a Bronze Star. Upon his discharge from the Army he returned home to Brighton.  He worked for a couple of different trucking companies finally ending up with Halliburton Oilfield Services.

During a summer evening motorcycle ride around Brighton with a friend, they met a group of girls and offered them rides on their motorcycles.  Among this group was a girl named Barbara.  He asked her out, they dated a few months and for Christmas he gave her a ring.  In January of 1972 they married and made their home in Brighton.  In September of 1974 they moved to Thornton, Colorado and there they raised two wonderful daughters Nicole (Nickie) and Tracey.  In 1979 he began working for the U.S. Postal Service at the Brighton office.  He remained there until his retirement in October of 2008.

He enjoyed many interests over the years including camping, fishing, bowling, trap shooting and most of all riding his Harley motorcycle.  In 1976 he joined the Brighton Elks Lodge.  In 1987 he started through the chairs (offices) of the lodge.  He was elected and served as Exalted Ruler for the 1993-1994 lodge year.  He was then elected to a five year term as a Lodge Trustee, serving from 1994 to 1999.

His greatest joy was spending time with his family especially his five grandchildren.  First came our beautiful redheaded twin girls, Alechsis and Gabrielle (Gabby).  Then came our first grandson Brodey, then our sweet Arika and finally our youngest grandson Jordan.  These children were his pride and joy and whether it was reading a book, watching a movie, taking them to a swim lesson, a trip to the zoo or the stock show, a vacation trip or watching one of them play in a soccer, baseball, softball or football game he would be there.  He was a husband, father and grandfather who was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.

Gary is survived by his wife Barbara, his daughters Nicole (Timmy) Shultz and Tracey (Tim) Gotwald, his five grandchildren Alechsis, Gabrielle and Brodey Shultz and Arika and Jordan Gotwald.  His half-sister Susan Harms, stepbrother Michael (Kay) Harms and stepsister Lorrie Mager.  Sister-in-law’s Marzetta Peterson, Grace Gilbert and Lea Ann (Jim) Thompson and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.  He is preceded in death by both of his parents, brother Lesley Harms, step-fathers John Stratton and Oliver Davis, step-mother Alberta Harms and brother-in-law’s Michael Mager, Rodney Peterson and John Gilbert.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Brighton Elks 1586 Scholarship Fund or to Laradon Hall.

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