Harold Harper

Harold Gene Harper, 70, Talala, Oklahoma died Tuesday, May 13, 2009 at his home after a battle with cancer. Gene was born January 23, 1939 at Talala to William Berton Harper and Clara E. Philpott Harper. He grew up in Talala and was a 1957 graduate of Talala High School. Shortly after graduation, Gene joined the U.S. Navy, serving from 1957 1961. Upon completion of his military service, he returned to Talala. He met and later married, Sharron Faye Howell on May 3, 1963 at the First Church of God, Nowata, Oklahoma. The couple moved to Nowata and Gene went to work for E. L. Powell Trucking. He left E.L. Powell and became a driver for Phillips Petroleum Company out of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. In 1964, the Harpers moved to Bartlesville and lived there until 1968, as Gene became a driver for Trans Con Truck Lines in Oklahoma City until 1972. The family moved back to Nowata and Gene became a foreman for Hardesty Company, Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1973, Gene and his family moved to Talala, where he worked as Road Superintendent for Rogers County, before starting his own construction company, Harco. Gene was most recently employed as yard supervisor for High Plains Well ServiceLC Company in Nowata until December of last year, when deteriorating health forced his retirement. Gene was a member of and baptized in Talalas First Baptist Church. He was aMaster Tinkerer, building everything from 3-wheeled motorcycles and airboats to his own heavy equipment and high-speed mowers. Gene adored fast cars and built several including the red Datsun pickup, theSleeper Scout and a Bradley GT. Summer found the Harpers often out on the lake, boating, skiing, camping and fishing. Survivors are his wife, Sharron, of the home; three sons, Damon L. Dierolf and his wife, Sandy of Oologah, Oklahoma, Tony Mondragon of Veguita, New Mexico and Jeff Harper and his wife, Michelle of Tulsa, Oklahoma; one daughter, Kathy Shirley and her husband, David of Talala; a sister, Radine Stinnett of Nowata; ten grandchildren, Jeremiah Gene Harper, Heather Mondragon, Justin David Shirley, Vincent Dierolf, Austin Gene Shirley, Brooke McGehee, Mayci McGehee, Andrew Dierolf, Taylor Rayne Harper and Tesla Ranaye Harper and one great-granddaughter, Montanah McGehee and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be 11 A.M., Monday, May 18, 2009 at Talalas First Christian Church with Rev. Joe Goodin officiating. Interment will follow in Talalas Fairview Cemetery, under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, Coffeyville, Kansas. Visitation will be at the church, Sunday, 2 p.m. 8 p.m., with family receiving guests from 3-5 p.m.