Harms, Ogen Jacob "O.J." (1922-2003)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 May 5 p. 11

Birth date: 1922 Oct 3

text of obituary:

OGEN JACOB HARMS

Ogen Jacob "O.J." Harms, 80, of Corn, Okla., died March 4, 2003, at Corn Heritage Village. He was born Oct. 3, 1922, to Henry W. and Justina (Hiebert) Harms at Corn.

He spent his childhood in Oklahoma and attended school at OK School, Corn Public School and Corn Bible Academy. He was stricken with rheumatic fever and leakage of the heart, which caused him to miss much school. At age 16 he accepted Christ at revival meetings and was baptized Aug. 14, 1938.

He served in Civilian Public Service in Colorado Springs from Jan. 13, 1943, to April 26, 1946.

On Sept. 29, 1950, he married Pauline Schmidt of Lustre, Mont. They made their first home in Cordell, and he worked as a carpenter. Later they moved to Clinton, where he worked for Nash Finch Wholesale Warehouse from December 1950 to 1953. He then began farming but in off-seasons worked as a carpenter, bricklayer and at Colins & Maddox Feed Mill. They moved to Corn in 1970, and he retired from farming in 1985. He then was custodian for Corn Bible Academy for two years and drove the CBA van to transport students.

He worked with Mennonite Disaster Service on numerous occasions, filled in for the custodian at church, helped with MCC meat canning and served as usher and Sunday school treasurer.

He valued a right relationship with the Lord, helping others, a strong work ethic, the value of family and friends. He helped family members and missionaries in their educational endeavors.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Pauline; two daughters, Margaret Schultz of Clinton and Linda Martin and her husband, Tony, of Nevada, Mo.; two brothers, Barney Harms of Midwest City and Leo Harms of Weatherford; a sister, Gladys Lee of Fallbrook, Calif.; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister, all in infancy, and a great-granddaughter.