Rev. David G. Harms
November 11, 1936 – September 21, 2011.

Rev. Harms a retired Lutheran Pastor passed away this past Wednesday surrounded by his family after a two year struggle with cancer. David was born in Minneapolis, MN to Earnest and Alvina Harms. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He graduated from Washburn High School in 1954. He enlisted in the US Army in 1955 and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan in the Army Security Agency.

On May 30, 1958 he married Joan Stengel in Minneapolis. In September 1958 he entered Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL. He completed his studies there and at Valparaiso University in Indiana in 1963. He was first called to serve as Assistant Pastor at St. Paulos Lutheran Church in San Francisco, CA.

In 1965 he was called to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in the Cedar Mill area of northwest Portland. He remained there until his retirement in 1998. In ministry he served as Circuit Counselor and on the committee of Professional Church Workers for the Northwest District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. In retirement he served other local parishes: Good Shepherd Lutheran in southwest Portland, Hope Lutheran in Woodburn, and Our Redeemer Lutheran in Tigard.

He loved nature and the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and camping. He loved people and easily became friends with the smallest child to the elderly of the congregations he served in a genuine way. He loved his family and enjoyed planning several fun trips with all the children and grandchildren.
David is survived by his wife Joan, three children and eight grandchildren: Jennifer Leung (Richard) of Eugene; Steve (Thereasa) of Wilsonville; Julie Gallagher (Kevin) of Olympia, WA; grandchildren Andrew and Stephen Leung; Nathan, Sarah and Emily Harms; Joshua, Jacob and Hannah Gallagher; his sister Gen Carlson of Bloomington, MN; two sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a private family service at Willamette National Cemetery. The memorial service will be held at Living Savior Lutheran Church 8740 SW Sagert Street, Tualatin, OR.

Memorial gifts may be given to any Lutheran Church of your choice, or to the Northwest District Office designated to the Professional Church Workers Fund (1700 NE Knott Street, Portland, OR 97212).

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." Jn. 11: 25 (English Standard Version)



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