He was a retired building contractor and was a long-time member of the Drew Central School Board. He is a former recipient of the Drew Central Distinguished Service Award as well as a member of the Drew Central Alumni Hall of Fame. He was an excellent provider for his family who he loved with his whole heart. He was a member of the Rock Springs United Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of seventy-one years, Mary Oleta Harper; three brothers, Harold, Billy, and Ira Dean Harper; and one sister, Peggy Jasay.
Survivors include four sons, Bobby Ray Harper and wife Renee of Glendale, Max Harper and wife Glenda of Camden, Mark Harper and wife Dennie of Deer, and Warren Harper and wife Rhonda of Locust Bayou; three daughters, Judy Gibson and husband Sam of Warren, Joyce Lee of Little Rock, and Jenny Stone and husband Matt of Camden; seventeen grandchildren, Kim Glenn, Chris Harper, Lillie Herring, Chad Gibson, Michele Jenkins, Melissa McCready, Melanie Burton, Hugh Harper, Mary Lambert, Matthew Harper, Adam Harper, Kelly Garner, Mason Stone, Hillary Veazey, Daniel Harper, Bill Harper, and Nathan Harper; thirty-seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Condolences(25)
Alice Robinson Thomas
Redfield, AR Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Dear Mark, Denise and All of the Harper Family,I am so sorry for your loss of your Dad. I graduated with Mark and Denise. Mr. Harper lived such a honorable life serving others. The only thing I realized is we are never ready to give up our parents. May God send his comfort and peace to Each of You! May God bless! Alice
Sam and LeAnne Birf
Little Rock, AR Sunday, October 25, 2020 ExRay was such a nice person and a wonderful artisan at his job. He did such a good job remodeling our Monticello house. His work ethic was exemplary of his life.Pamela Pace Blann
Crossett, AR Saturday, October 24, 2020 Harper Family,.Prayers for your family! He was a great man and will surely be missed!
Dennis Jacks
Little Rock, AR Saturday, October 24, 2020 I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Harper. He was always so kind and pleasant and I will miss him as I’m sure will alsoAustin and Bethany Canada
Camden, AR Saturday, October 24, 2020 So sorry about your Dad .Allen and Karen Canada
Camden, AR Saturday, October 24, 2020 Our thoughts are with you.Allen and Karen Canada
Camden, AR Saturday, October 24, 2020 Our thoughts are with you.Sharon Shook McIntyre
Monticello, AR Saturday, October 24, 2020 My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. ExRay's family at this very sad time. He always had a smile on his face and was so pleasant to talk to.In Christian Love,
Sharon
Chris & Sundae Lanier
Warren, AR Friday, October 23, 2020 Though we only knew him a few short years they were a blessing to us all. He was a great neighbor and a wonderful man. He will be dearly missed.Valerie Chapman Carter
Crossett, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your dad was a wonderful man. Praying for God’s peace and comfort for you all.God Bless you❤️
Valerie Chapman Carter
Drew Central Class of “81”
Billy and Rhonda Mitchell
Monticello, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 Dearest Family,We are so sorry to hear about Mr. ExRay. He certainly was a great man who was respected and admired. We will always remember him as a friend who always met others with kind words and a smile. Prayers for you all during this time of grief.
Connie Castleberry
Camden, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 Jenny, my deepest sympathy in the loss of you’re dad. You are in my heart and prayers. Love youMarijo Pruett Miles
Spfld, MO Thursday, October 22, 2020 To all of the Harper family , I am so very sorry for the loss of Mr Xray. He was not only well liked and loved by many but also had a great respect for his honesty and integrity. Not many people have the honor and reputation he had and will always have . He will be greatly missed . My prayers and thoughts are with you all.Tiara Hobbs Robinson
Greenbrier, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 Jenny, Warren and all of the family, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are all in my prayers.Betty Timmons
DUMAS, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. My prayers are with the family and may God be with you and comfort you in this time of sorrow.Your friend and sister in Christ,
Betty Timmons
Lori McCoy
, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 I am so so sorry. He was a precious soul!! All my prayers!!Timmy McCorkle
Fordyce, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 Prayers to the family.John & Paige (Hill) Stell
MONTICELLO, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 Family -You are all in our thoughts and prayers during the days ahead. Mr. Harper was a precious person inside and out. He always had a smile on his face and a love for Jesus and his family.
Love, John, Paige, Jayson, Colt, Brayden, Jared, Jake, and Brad
Lela Wilson
Wilmar, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 He was one of the very best, a most kind, loving gentleman and it always made me so happy to see him at church and get a hug. I know he is happy now and blessed so I will not cry for his loss but I feel you pain having lost my own father. Prayers for you allJefferson Regional Medical Center IT Department
Pine Bluff, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 The Information Technology Department at Jefferson Regional Medical Center extends our condolences to the Harper Family for the loss of your loved one. With deepest sympathy, we are sending healing prayers of comfort to his family along with this note to let you know that we share your grief and wish your family comfort and peace.marty mcallister
camden, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 So sorry to hear of your loss may god comfort and be with the family at ths timeJudy Selig
Benton, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Harper was a fine gentleman who was very much respected by all who knew him. He will be missed by many.Bea Tucker
Wilmar, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 To all the family, I know your hearts are broken but I also know you are at peace knowing Mr. ExRay is in heaven today. He was a wonderful friend and I so enjoyed visiting and talking with him when I had the opportunity. You will always have your sweet memories!!! May God comfort each of you as only he can. Prayers for the days ahead.Janice Gladden Wiggam
Hot Springs Village, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 What a wonderful man, Mr. Harper! I know you will have such great memories to cherish, yet know how sad it is to lose our dear parents. May God give you peace and comfort in your loss. God bless.With love & sympathy,
Janice
Mary Lasiter
Wilmar, AR Thursday, October 22, 2020 So very sorry to hear of Mr. Exray's passing. Mary Lasiter, James Lasiter's wife.