Veteran, longtime Advance mayor Harnes dies

During his lifetime, James Harnes Sr. of Advance, Mo., was many things to his country and his community. He was a highly-decorated Army veteran, civic leader, a mayor for 17 years and a businessman. Harnes died Tuesday at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was 94.

A lifelong Advance resident, Harnes took over his family's insurance agency in the 1950s. In 1972, he became an auditor for the Missouri Department of Insurance, according to his obituary. He was mayor of Advance from 1992 to 2009. He was a member of the Advance First Baptist Church and the Gideons. He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge AF&AM Lakewood Lodge No. 489.

A World War II veteran, Harnes spent 20 years in the Army retiring as a captain, according to his obituary. He served on the Veterans Home Foundation board of directors for many years and volunteered at the Missouri Veterans Home for 20 years.

Harnes' daughter, Shelia Gray, said in an interview Tuesday her father was always proud of his community and would strive to make it a better place. To that end, Harnes was involved in many community endeavors. He was on the board of directors of Cross Trails Medical Center and was involved in the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation, Advance Public Schools Foundation, Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission and Stoddard County Development Foundation.

Gray said she told him a lot in the last few days that he was "the best daddy a girl could ever have."

"He was always there for all of his family," said Gray, who lives in Jackson. "I was the youngest and never moved away from here."

Describing herself as a "daddy's girl," Gray said she was around Harnes more than her siblings and worked with him on hobbies and projects and drove him -- when she was old enough -- to call on his insurance clients. "He was a hands-on daddy," Gray said.

Gray's son, Chad Kight, said his grandfather was a "real American hero" who would do anything for anybody and was far more concerned about his country and community than he was about himself. Kight said Harnes also was humble, never bragging about himself and reticent about his wartime experiences.

"I really wouldn't believe much in Tom Brokaw's 'Greatest Generation' if it weren't for my grandfather. ... My grandfather exemplifies it perfectly," Kight said.

He said Harnes was among the original Navy SEALs, which were called the Underwater Demolition Team Frogmen.

Nominated by Gary Capps, Harnes won the 2007 Spirit of America Award, which is sponsored by the Southeast Missourian.

During his last campaign for mayor of Advance, Kight and Gray said Harnes misjudged a step and suffered a concussion and a slow bleed. Kight said he made about a 90 percent recovery, but resigned as mayor.

Kight said Harnes lived several full years after that.

"He always had a twinkle in his eye," Kight said. "He was always telling jokes and telling stories. He was 94, and I'm 38, so he's always been an older grandpa to me, but I can't imagine he wasn't the life of the party back in his day. He's always got a fun story to tell; he's always giving you a hard time, always trying to make you smile. ... always really fun to be around."

Harnes was born May 23, 1919, in Advance, the son of Leonard and Nellie Beard Harnes.

James and Sarah LaVelle were united in marriage Nov. 12, 1942, at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and she preceded him in death March 7, 1990. He later married Mildred Fowler on Jan. 25, 1992, in Advance, and she survives of the home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the chapel. Burial will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military rites.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

Advance, Mo.