Robin Harms

Robin Lee Harms was born on May 10, 1951 in Pawnee, OK and started his spiritual journey home on April 2, 2024 at 9:24 a.m. in Stillwater, OK. He was an elder member of the Pawnee tribe, Cawi band, and an Otoe decedent from the Owl clan. He was survived by his wife Wynema Harragarra-Harms, and his daughters, Robyn (Sunny) Leigh Harms, Skye Malinda Harragarra-Harms, and Lisa Gillum-Langas, and his two grandchildren Kenzi Epperson and Kai Landess. His siblings Gene Harms and his wife Vickie of Arlington, TX, Brian Harms and his wife Alice of Dallas, TX, his sister Kathleen Swafford and her husband Doug of TX, Mom Jo, sisters Raelynn Peters, Carrie Peters, and Marti Only A Chief, of Pawnee, OK, sister Pam Jim, and brother Mike Sanborn of Wichita, KS. He was also survived and loved by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and numerous other relatives. Preceded in death by his unborn son Robin Lee Harms, Jr., father “Pops” Lewis Only A Chief, mother Norma Bettes, adopted father Bobby Harms, brother Jimi Peters, sister Ellen Carothers, and his maternal grandparents Lee and Dorothy Bettes, and his paternal grandparents Jim and Minnie Peters.  

 Robin was a graduate of Arlington high school and he earned his master's degree in Administrative Leadership at his beloved University of Oklahoma. During his studies at OU, he tutored advanced courses where his services were high in demand. He also worked for the Pawnee Public School in education, which he thoroughly enjoyed because of his interest and his love for our youth. He was an educated, well traveled, well loved, respected, cool, compassionate, beautiful man. He played many sports throughout his childhood and continued to have a passion for most sports throughout his life. He was an intramural softball coach at OU. He would say that the highlights of his sports involvement were the best of times! He worked in tribal government within many tribes throughout the United States and filled positions such as CEO, Judicial Services Director, and Executive Director. He was a Mayoral Appointee in Nome, AK among the Eskimo community. At one point in his life he served as a Cawi band Chief for the Pawnee tribe. During retirement he founded a consulting group where he could continue to help tribal nations everywhere. He made many friendships throughout Indian country, which he cherished greatly. Many people who worked for him and with him would call him a great boss, colleague, hard worker, and a kind person.
 
 Throughout his life he traveled and experienced many wonderful things. He loved the soulful music from Van Morrison, Tom Petty, and the Rolling Stones, and enjoyed going to concerts. He was always up for an adventure. He was a great cook. He loved all things native. He was a straight dancer. He enjoyed the finer things in life and appreciated the most simple. He was a humble man who strived to always do the right thing. He had many passions and truly enjoyed his life. He would say that his life on earth was enjoyable and complete.
 
 As a young child he was adopted by his step father and moved to Texas. Later, in early adulthood he found his way back home to Pawnee. Thereafter, no matter where he was in the world, he always found his way back home. Home, with his people is where he was laid to rest. He believed in God and Jesus Christ. He confirmed to many that he had a place with God in heaven. 
 
 He was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, relative, and friend who’s life message was to treat people with dignity and respect, keep educating yourself and learning, continue to fight the good fight, and above all, to love each other like there is no tomorrow.

Services were held Friday 10:00 A.M.  April 5, 2024 in the Pawnee Nation Roam Chief Event Center with   Gary “Chink” Whitecloud, Donovan Harragarra, and Rev. Bruce Pratt officiating, burial followed in the North Indian Cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers Jonas Lyons,  Donovan Harragarra, Kirby Harragarra Jr., Ronski James, Melvin "Bo" Harragarra,  Joseph George, Gideon Beard, Conner Sleeper, Jewell Lyons, and Christian Beard. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers  Bo Peters,  Jimmy Whiteshirt, Gary "Chink" Whitecloud,    DeWayne Watashe, Joel Alowa, and  Douglas McConnaughey Services were entrusted to the Poteet Funeral Home and Cremation Services, friends can leave a memory for the family at www.poteetfuneralhome.com