Harold Harper

Harold M. Harper, age 80, of Kahoka, MO, died unexpectedly on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at his home.

Harold was born August 24, 1938 in Clark County, a son of Clifford and Louise Kirchner Harper.

He was married on March 6, 1960 to Mary Barnes at St. Paul United Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, of the home; four children: Jeffrey (Beth) Harper of Warrensburg, MO, Johnnie (Neva) Harper, Jeannie (Jon) Kirchner, and Jason (Nicole) Harper, all of Kahoka; two brothers, Gerald Harper and Delbert (Twila) Harper, all of Kahoka; eight grandchildren: Bradley Martin (Krystal) Harper of Kansas City, MO, Mary Beth Harper of Warrensburg, MO, Heather Brooke Harper of Quincy, Adam Lee (Shannon) McIntosh of Wentzville, MO, Jonie Marie (Christopher) Lopez of Muscatine, IA and Corbyn Harold, Carter Clifford and Callie Mae Harper, all of Kahoka; four great-grandchildren: Payton Harper and Drake, Audrey, and Alexis McIntosh; brothers and sisters-in-law: Paul Barnes (Alberta Ledford) of Tullahoma, TN, John (Marlene) Barnes of Fort Madison and Tom (Connie) Barnes of Kahoka; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, great granddaughter, Brystol Ann Harper; brothers and sisters-in-law: Alberta Harper, Russell Barnes, Jr., Shirley Leedom and Donald Barnes.

Harold graduated from Kahoka High School with the class of 1955. He served in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserves.

His entire life was spent farming, something that was in his blood and that he loved. He enjoyed being outdoors and taking care of the farm animals and talking to them daily. He had many dogs through the years who were all special to him including his best friend, Chick. The Harpers were a former Missouri State Fair Farm family.

Harold was faithful member of St. Paul United Church of Christ and had served on the church Consistory. His church, family, and community were very important to him.

Harold served on the MFA Board and fought hard to get the grain leg and dump pit built at the Kahoka facility in the late 1970's. He served on the Clark Co. Fair Board, Federal Land Bank Board, and was a County Committeeman for FSA. He was a two term member of the Clark Co. R-1 School Board from 1971-1977 and held the position of President for two years.

He was elected to the Lewis County REC Board of Directors in 1995 and to the Northeast Power Cooperative, Palmyra, Board of Directors in 2005. He served on the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives Board of Directors, and as a voting delegate at the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Annual Meeting. Harold worked tirelessly throughout Missouri to ensure that electric cooperatives could serve safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to its members. Harold held the admiration and respect of his fellow directors and cooperative employees.

Although a very busy man, Harold always made sure he was available to help with 4H projects and to faithfully follow all of his kids and grandkids sports and other school activities. He had enjoyed racing stock cars and participating in and watching tractor pulls.

Funeral services with military rites were held Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Kahoka with Rev. Dixie Laube officiating. Burial followed in the Kahoka Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Paul United Church of Christ.

On-line condolences may be expressed at www.wilsonfuneralservice.com.

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