Thomas Eugene Harms

Colonel Thomas Eugene Harms, 76, of Springfield, VA passed away unexpectedly without suffering on October 6, 2019 of a Cardiac Arrhythmia. Thomas is the beloved, devoted Father of, and survived by, his Daughters Deborah Carter Harms, Aimee Marie Harms, and Carmen Harms Chireix. Tom is also the very doting Grandfather to Nathan Alain Chireix, Dustin Thomas Carter, Lauren Camille Chireix, Stefanie Nicole Carter, Lily Erin Chireix, Hannah Marie Harms, Nicholas Aaron Harms and Camille Christine Harms. Thomas is the Son of the late Walser Eugene Harms and Eleanor Joyce Harms and oldest Brother to David Michael Harms. A man of unconditional love for his Family.

Full honors burial side service at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC on January 11, 2021 at 11 am where he will be laid to rest next to his Parents.

Colonel Thomas Harms was born on August 15, 1943 in Sandwich, Illinois. Tom graduated from the University of Illinois in 1965 with his undergraduate degree in Economic Theory and from there was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. Tom completed the Communications- Electronics Officer course at Keesler AFB, Mississippi in 1965 followed by an assignment to the 2180th Communications Squadron at High Wycomb Air Station in England, as the maintenance Control Officer. Daughters Deborah and Aimee were born in England during this assignment.

In March 1970, Colonel Harms was assigned to the 2066th Communications Squadron, Myrtle Beach AFB. Here, Tom served as the Chief of Maintenance and, for a six-month period, as the Chief of Operations. Daughter Carmen was born during this assignment.

In July 1972, Colonel Harms was assigned to HQ AFCC, Richards-Gebaur AFB, Missouri proudly serving as the Chief of the Alaska Communications Division, Communications Systems in Alaska. Tom was

the primary member of the team that negotiated the terms of the transfer of the government-owned long line communications system to the private sector on 1 July 1976.

In 1977, Colonel Harms relocated with the headquarters to Scott AFB, Illinois where he joined a special study group called the AFCS Commanders Management Action Group. In this capacity Tom

worked special projects at the direction of the AFCS Commander until a new assignment brought the family to Zweibrucken AFB, Germany, as the Commander of the 2143rd Communications Squadron.

Three years later, in 1982, Tom transferred to HQ USAFE and served as the Director of NATO Initiatives. Upon completion of this tour, Tom served two years on the Air Staff in the Directorate of Architecture and Technology, ACS Systems for the Command, Control, Communications and Computers. He assumed the duties of the Deputy Commander for Logistics in the 7th Communications Group, (AFCC), Pentagon, Washington DC, on June 16, 1986.

On July 16, 1990 Tom proudly began his last assignment at Andrews AFB as Commander of the 2045th Communications Group of AFCC and concluded in 1992 as Commander of the 89th Communications Group (of AMC).

Colonel Harms received his Graduate degree while on active duty from the University of Northern Colorado in Business Management. Tom is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, National Defense University, and Air War College.

Tom’s military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, with three oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit award with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Organizational Excellence award, National Defense Service Medal with one service star, Air Force Overseas Long Tour ribbon with one oak leaf cluster, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and Air Force Training Ribbon.

Along with proudly serving the United States with the Air Force, Tom was an avid athlete. While attending the University of Illinois. Tom enjoyed speed skating – at one time skating with Bonnie Blair while she trained for the US Olympics. Tom also achieved the title of “Billiard Champion” while attending University of Illinois His love of sports then shined while in England when Tom achieved the honor of “Dart Board Champion” after practice in the local pubs while off duty. Most memorable, however, was Tom’s love for tennis. While on tour in Germany Tom achieved the Armed Forces Tennis Champion title and from there continued to play competitively in German tennis leagues. Tom’s love for being physically fit and healthy transferred to his three daughters who, too, enjoy the love of sports. He enjoyed photography and all the latest technology and made sure to keep his family members up to date. We are grateful for all the wonderful memories he documented and left for us.