Harms, Dennis



Dennis W. Harms, 56, of Hendersonville, Tenn., died suddenly and unexpectedly on April 25, 2008, while traveling on business. Dennis was born in Stanford, Ill., to Stanley and Myrna Harms on July 27, 1951. He grew up on the family's central Illinois farm, raising cattle and hogs, hunting mushrooms and building hot-rods with his friends before graduating from Stanford High School in 1969. Dennis attended Illinois State University in Bloomington and graduated with a bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1973. He met Kathi Millard at the local Steak & Shake in 1971 and they maintained a long distance relationship while Kathi attended nursing school in St. Louis until they were married on Sept. 29, 1973. Kathi and Dennis were blessed by two wonderful children. Jennifer joined the family in 1977 and Jon in 1979. Dennis began his long and distinguished career in agribusiness with Cargill in 1973. He worked for Cargill and Central Soya before founding Premium Standard Farms (PSF) in 1988. Dennis was widely regarded as a visionary entrepreneur. Following his career at PSF, he founded Stonecreek Management, was president of PIC North America and founded Spectrum Agribusiness. Dennis is survived by his parents, Stanley and Myrna Harms of Bloomington, Illinois; his in-laws, Edward and Anne Millard of Bloomington; wife, Kathi of Hendersonville; daughter, Jennifer Palmer and husband Kenney of Land O Lakes, Fla.; son, Jon and his fiancee, Tracie of Cape Coral, Fla.; sisters, Jean Miller-Stone and husband Roger of Itasca, Ill., Diane Townsend Cowell and husband Keith of Tucson, Ariz.; sisters- in-law, Karol Kusmaul and husband James of Inverness, Fla., Janet Olson and husband Holt of Normal, Ill.; brother-in-law, Jeffrey Millard and wife Dawn of Maple Shade, New Jersey; nieces, Jessica Miller, Liz, Katie and Megan Townsend, Laurie Kusmaul, and Rachel and Beth Olson; nephews, John Kusmaul and Chad Olson. Dennis was preceded in death by nephew Drew Olson. Dennis enjoyed being THE Captain during boating excursions throughout the US and British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Leeward Islands and various Bahamian Islands. Some of his happiest memories were of times spent on his boat at Lake Ozark, Mo. Dennis' greatest pleasure was spending time with his family and friends who will forever miss his practical jokes, story telling, cannon firing, fireworks, barbecues, music and dancing and motorcycling (something Kathi wanted no part of). Dennis always brought out the best in his family, friends and colleagues. He was always ahead of the curve and believed that every day was a new opportunity. As one friend said, "he was always in front of anyone else -- now he has done it again he is at peace and in another place before anyone else. I can't wait to see him again and find the next step in our journey. I loved him." Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 29, 2 p.m. with Interment in Memory Gardens Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers the family asks that a memorial donation be made to Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org) in his name.

Arr.: Hendersonville Memory Gardens and Funeral Home, Hendersonville (615) 824-3855.