Obituary of John W. "Bud" Harmes

Bud was born on August 17, 1930 in Titusville, PA to Clarence and Mildred Harmes. He always said he was born at home because he wanted to be near his mother! He was named John Wendell but his sister Lois, couldn't say brother and called him Buddy, which then became Bud. His family lived in Meadville, PA until Bud's asthma forced them to move to Mesa, AZ when he was in junior high school. He loved Arizona because he could breathe better but the rest of the family hated it. They then moved to Carthage, MO 2 years later, where his family bought a neighborhood grocery store. This is where his love for ring bologna began. Then they moved back to Meadville, PA for his last 2 years of high school. While a senior in high school, he was invited to attend a church service, sponsored by the Christian Business Men's Committee, where a man in a gray suit preached the gospel. But accepted Jesus as his personal savior, but he somehow never found out the name of that preacher who led him to Christ. He graduated from Meadville High School in 1949. After high school, Bud helped build his parents' home and started his own construction business. However, the Korean War began in 1950 and bud was drafted into the US Army in January 1952. In January 1954 he was honorably discharged as a Corporal with Military Police. He always had lots of stories of his adventures in apprehending AWOL soldiers. Soon after returning to civilian life in Pennsylvania, he started his construction business, but his asthma returned with a vengeance. He moved back to Phoenix, AZ where Rev. Arthur Woods became Bud's mentor and challenged him to grow his faith. Bud began assisting in Youth for Christ (YFC) and worked with young people in Bible Chapel. Mrs. Wood taught Bud to lead singing, one song at a time until Bud "Got the hang of it." In 1957, Bud moved back to Meadville, where he went to Bible College and eventually became the director of Meadville YFC. It was here where he met his wife Carolyn. Carolyn was a high school senior when she first came to the YFC and she didn't like Bud too much at first, but her sister had a crush on him. After Carolyn went to college, Bud kept in contact and asked her to help with YFC activities. According to him, when he saw how helpful she could be, he though "that's the kind of a wife I need." (How romantic!!!) Letters began going back and forth and he always ended his with "it pays to do business with an old established firm." Eventually, love blossomed and they were married on August 13, 1960. In 1963, first daughter Patty was born and in 1965, second daughter Debbie came along. He was thrilled to be "Daddy." As time passed, he began to introduce all the Harmes girls, as his "three" daughters. In 1966, he accepted the position of Youth Pastor of the large First Baptist Church in Tucson, AZ. The years in Tucson are still remembered as some of his happiest years. When the Senior Pastor retired, he became the Youth Pastor at Hemet First Baptist Church in 1969. The family then moved to Redlands, CA where is served as te Youth Pastor at Bethany Reformed Church. In 1973, he "retired" from being a Youth Pastor and began as a Customer Service Manager for G.L. Lewis Custom Homes. Bud loved his new career because he was still helping people and involved in building homes. In 1975, the family moved to Orange County and after searching for a church with a youth ministry that BOTH girls liked, Garden Grove Community Church became their church. It was during this time, that Bud and Carolyn began attending the Homebuilders Sunday School Class. When the president of the class found out that he had been a YFC Director, he said "then you must be able to lead singing and we need a song leader." Bud was the Song Leader for 29 years and loved every minute of it. He was also an Elder of the church, Consistory Member and a member of the Hour for Power Board for many years. When G.L. Lewis Homes ended their business in 1980, Bud continued his career in customer service home repair by beginning Bud Harmes Services. He became very busy and then found the time to add to his resume by going to school to become a Massage Therpist and Reflexologist. It just added to his lifetime joy of helping others. Bud's family began to grow, when in 1983 Patty married Scott Lee and in 1992 Debbie married Bob Bergholtz. His grandson, Brock was born in 996 and his granddaughter Paige or as he called her Paigey, was born in 1998. The largest joy of Bud's life was his family. Family vacations, camping trips, cruises and times spent with his family were his passions. That and telling jokes, good and bad! In 2007, Bud suffered a heart attack and was then diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia with Parkinsonism. His life took a journey no one wants to be on, but he bravely faced it. Even though the caregivers at Kirkwood never knew the dynamic Bud, they all fell in love with the sweet man he always was. He never lost his humor and his faith was always with him. His love and gentleness carried him through until the Lord graciously called him home April 18, 2012. And we're certain Heaven will never be the same again. His survivors include Carolyn (wife),daughters Patricia (Scott) Lee & Debra (Robert)Bergholtz, Brock,Paige grandchildren, sister Lois(Robert)Blair, numerous nieces,nephews, grandpups. A Celebration of Bud's Life will be Saturday, April 28,2012 , 2 PM at Sunkist Community Church, 701 S. Sunkist St., Anaheim,CA 92806. There will be a reception following in the church's Family Life Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to either the LewyBodyDementia Association (LBDA.org) or Habitat for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles habitatla.org. Services entrusted to Melrose Abbey Mortuary.