Harry John Bosma

Harry John Bosma, aged 80, of Arlington; husband, father, grand-father, Corvette- lover, amateur chef, long-time gardener, carpenter, and grabber-of-things-off- the-top-shelf, died Friday, May 28, 2021, after a recurring battle with cancer. Harry was born February 3, 1941, in New Holstein, Wisconsin, to John and Alice (Grimm) Bosma. He was the eldest of three children. Funnily enough, his younger siblings, William (Bill) and Sarah were both born on July 22, two years apart, and constantly fought over who owned the day! Harry spared that argument no mind; he didn't have to share. After graduating from New Holstein High School in 1959, Harry enlisted in the US Navy. Training took him to Chicago and San Francisco. He ultimately served on several ships including the USS Winston, the USS Uvalde, and the USS Bon Homme Richard. In service he was able to travel to most of the world, and he particularly enjoyed the time he spent in Asia. He left the service after 4 years and went to work for Blue Ribbon Food and Freezer in Milwaukee. He was soon transferred to Fort Worth, Texas where he met his future wife, Ruth Wade. Harry and Ruth were married on November 27, 1964 and had two children. Harry worked for most of his career at Vought Aircraft & Northrop Grumman from January 1980 until July 2003, when he retired from the workforce. He was very proud of his work there; the life-long friends he met, and his contributions to the development of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, the C-17 Globemaster, and the V-22 Osprey. Throughout his life, Harry enjoyed boating and fishing, gardening, bird watching, and owning and showing Corvettes. He loved trips to the coast of Texas, road trips to visit family in Wisconsin, and road trips to see the wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country. He was a constant “putterer,” always finding new jobs and chores to keep him busy, oftentimes to the annoyance of his family! Imagine coming home and finding that you can't touch any switch plate because they've all been freshly painted! After retirement, he was proud to work with the very skilled and talented Jim Burke, his fellow Wood Bee, creating original wood crafts of all types, including custom cabinets, garden arbors, and benches. Harry is survived by his wife, Ruth; son John Stephen, daughter Catherine Marie; grandkids Robert, Cathy, Andrew, Stephen, Elizabeth, and Crista; sister-in-law Barbara Wade, brothers-in-law Michael Thurwachter and Andrew Wade; Sandy Britt (she gets her own category because she's that special); nieces, nephews, other relatives, neighbors, and many friends. Preceding him in death are his father John Bosma in 1983, his mother Alice Schumacher in 2012, his brother Bill Bosma in 2015, his sister Sarah Thurwachter in 2016, and his grandson Anthony Allen Bosma in 1995. Harry John Bosma will be interred at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery at a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving blood or donating to the cancer-fighting charity of your choice. Please choose to leave this world better, and hopefully, more beautiful than you found it.