Harlin was born June 13, 1944 in Turtle Lake, ND to August and Emily Helm. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1961. He went on to graduate from Underwood High School in 1963. Harlin married the love of his life, Amy, on September 3, 1967. Soon after they moved to Colfax, WA. He joined the Boilermakers Local 242 in 1968. Harlin and Amy moved to Deer Park, WA with their children in 1980. He loved fishing, camping, hunting birds and gardening.

Harlin passed away on December 6, 2018 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Amy; his sisters Elaine, Elva, Phyllis, Eunice (Don), Joyce and Gail (Dave); In-laws Clyde (Bonnie), Bobby, Berna, Gaylen, Caryn (Gary), Karen, Joyce (Gene), Deniece and Rick (Jennifer); children Dale (Annette) Helm, Alan (Linda) Helm and Kay (Tony) Masters; 9 grandchildren: Bresheta (Ian), Tyler, Trenton, Jordan, Andrew, Jessica, Shana, Jada and Gunner and 5 great-grandchildren: Jaslyn, Katelyn, Anja, Isla and Emah. He is preceded in death by his parents August and Emily Helm, mother and father-in-law Duane and Clarice Nelson; his brother Dwaine; brothers-in-law Lloyd M., Herb, Lloyd B., Ronie and Lee as well as sisters-in-law Dee and Diana.

A funeral service will be held on December 15, 2018 at 11:00am at St. Mary's Presentation Church, 602 E. 6th St., Deer Park, WA 99006.