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John E. Harper Jr.
SIKESTON – On Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, John E. Harper Jr., loving father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 85.
John was born on Aug. 5, 1933, in Sikeston, to the late J. Earnest and Mildred Stubblefield Harper. As a teenager, John would work everyday after school, on the weekends, and during the summer on his father’s cattle-hog farm. He worked alongside his father until he graduated from Sikeston High School in 1951.
Following graduation, he attended the University of Missouri. However, John felt it was his patriotic duty to fight for his country, so he temporarily left school to serve in the Korean War. Following his return home, John returned to the University of Missouri where he joined Sigma Nu Fraternity and completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
In 1958 John graduated from the University of Missouri and moved back home to Sikeston, where he was assistant manager of McKnight Keaton Wholesale Grocery and where he continued to work alongside his father and manage the family-owned cattle-hog farm.
On Jan. 19, 1963, he married his beloved wife, Judy York Harper who preceded him in death on July 30, 2015. Together, they were able to raise their three beautiful daughters and enjoy 52 loving years of marriage.
John had a passion for not only his family and friends, but for his community. He was a proud businessman, having been self-employed as owner of Harper Travel Service and a Farm Manager. He was also a prominent member of the Sikeston Jaycees, Lions Club, and Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce.
In 1958 John eagerly joined the Sikeston Jaycees where he helped construct and design the Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Area, and served as President, Rodeo Board President, and Chairman of Concessions. He received numerous awards including 40-Year Jaycee Lifetime Achievement Award, Jaycee Outstanding Service Award, PRCA Gold Card, 50-Year Jaycee Service Award, received his most cherished 50 Years of Service Belt Buckle, and received the most prestigious Art Saunders Award.
John’s father, Ernest, was a founding member of the Sikeston Lions Club. So, in 1977 John was most honored to serve as President of Lions Club.
In 1972, the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce awarded him with a Certificate of Distinguished Service and in 2008 the Lifetime Achievement Award.
John is survived by three loving daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Kenneth Lape, Cheryl and Chance Dowling, Julie and Michael Conway all of Sikeston; and four beloved grandchildren, Allyson Krebs, Katherine Lape, Mackenzie Conway, and Michael John Conway.
Pallbearers will include: Michael Conway, Kenneth Lape, Chance Dowling, Jonathan Gilmore, Jeffrey Sutton, David Vaughn, Jon Broom, and Greg Turnbow.
Honorary Pallbearers will include longtime friends Robert Suchman, Glen Matthews, Edward Pike, and Daniel Lape.
Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. The Rev. Mike Wondell and the Rev. Jennifer Moxley, pastor, will officiate the service.
Following the service, interment will be held at Sikeston Memorial Park.
Ponder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Paid obituary