Kurt Robert Harms

KURT R. HARMS, 72, of Las Vegas, passed away Dec. 22, 2010. He was born Nov. 5, 1938, on a farm in Bancroft, Neb., and was a 46-year resident of Nevada. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a retired accountant. Kurt enjoyed playing football and basketball for the Bulldogs at Wisner High School, where he graduated in 1956. He then obtained a business degree from St. John's College in Winfield, Kan. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1964 and was stationed in France. Kurt moved to Las Vegas in 1964, where he worked at the Nevada Test Site for REECo for 31 years. Shortly after moving to Las Vegas, he met his loving wife, Sandy, and they were married for 45 years. Kurt returned to college and graduated from UNLV in 1975 with a degree in accounting. His support and enthusiasm for Rebel athletics lasted throughout his life. In 1976, he started the Kurt Harms Tax Service. He and Sandy built up a large clientele by creating catch phrases such as "Taxes Hurt? Call Kurt." It became one of the most trusted and successful tax business in Las Vegas for over 30 years. He was a faithful servant of God and a longtime member of First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. He also was one of the founding board members of Faith Lutheran Junior and Senior High School. Kurt was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Minnie Harms; brothers, Milton and Roland Harms; and sisters, Flora Leimer, Ester Contos and Gertrude "Tiny" Marsh. Kurt is survived by his wife, Sandy; daughter, Christine (Jeff) Lubs of El Segundo, Calif.; daughter, Cari (Chris) Shaver of Burbank, Calif.; son, Eric (Jenny) Harms of Las Vegas; sister, Rachel (Al) Taylor of Las Vegas; seven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27, at First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 301 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89101. Donations can be made in Kurt's memory to First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School.