Wesley Harker

Wes Harker passed away at home on May 18, 2026, he was 65 years old.

A military funeral is being planned at a later date.

Wes was born on May 8, 1961 in Oakland, CA, moving to Des Moines as a young child. He went to Lincoln High School but ended up getting his GED in 1978. He joined the Air Force in 1978 where he was a Security Specialist and was honorably discharged. He met his wife, Stacy, in 2003 and they married on April 20, 2020.

After the military, he traveled around some before finally coming back to Des Moines. Wes was a talented musician playing in several local bands as a lead guitarist and as a drummer. He loved to work on guitars and became a guitar luthier the last few years of his life.

Wes was a man of many talents and hobbies. He liked to know how things worked. If something broke, he preferred to fix it rather than buy new. He was mostly passionate about his 1979 Corvette; he loved to drive it and work on it. He also loved riding his motorcycle. He also enjoyed creating things with his own hands, putting models together or making miniature furniture for his wife, Stacy.

Wes is survived by his wife, Stacy, stepson Brandon (Jess) Van Drew, in-laws Stanley (Janice) Lincoln, Brian (Dawn) Lincoln, stepson Josh Leitzinger; siblings Jack (Michelle) Harker, Judie (Johnny) Johnson, and Valerie (Bill) Johnson; Aunt Debby (Dave) Loffredo, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Wes is preceded in death by his father Jack Bougher, adopted father Gerald Harker, and stepdaughter Tara Leitzinger.

Special thanks to the wonderful hospice nurses and aides that assisted with his home care.