Jerry Lee Harper

Jerry Lee Harper was born on March 4, 1932, in Lanagan, MO. He was the third child of Rosetta Morgan and Ralph Lloyd Harper. He died on February 24, 2018, at Marlow. Cremation and arrangements have been entrusted to Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral and Cremation Services of Marlow.

He was raised near Sterling on the farm his father Ralph inherited from his uncle, Perry Varner. Jerry attended primary school at Burns School, which was located on the farm, then later at Sterling. He graduated from Sterling High School in 1949 and went on to study agriculture at Cameron University.

On March 13, 1953, Jerry married Jeanette Burt at Sterling.

Jerry was in the U.S. Navy, and he and Jeanette moved to Port Hueneme, CA. He served for four years in the United States Naval Construction Battalions (the Seabees). His battalion built the landing strips on the Philippine Island of Guam. Jerry was a Golden Gloves boxer during his tour of duty.

After his service ended, Jerry and Jeanette settled in Golden, CO, where they started their family. Jerry began working for Mountain States Telephone as a lineman and repairman in 1955. During Jerry’s 37-year career at Mountain States (renamed Mountain Bell in 1969), the family lived in Golden, Gunnison, Montrose, and Olathe, CO. The family moved to rural Sterling, OK, in 1971, where Jerry worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. In late 1976, the family moved to Craig, CO, where Jerry worked at Mountain Bell until his retirement. In 2013 Jerry and Jeanette moved to Marlow, OK.

Jerry loved working with horses and always kept at least one for riding and roping. He was a highly skilled cowboy and horseman. He rode in a few endurance and trail rides and really enjoyed them. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting, tying knots, making leather horse gear, and traveling. He and Jeanette became “snowbirds” after they retired, traveling to south Texas with their travel trailer for many winters and returning to Craig, CO, in the spring.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Jeanette; his sons, Wesley Harper and John Harper (Marsey); daughters, Kathleen Harper (Jeff Thom), Suzanne Burns (Bill), and Cynthia Chotvacs (Andy); grandchildren, Katy Smith, Cristen Jantz (Clint), Bryon Smith (Katie), and Janis Harper; and great-grandchildren, Tessa Harper, Elijah and Lillian Jantz, and Grant Smith.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Barbara June Harper; and his brother, Ralph Lloyd Harper.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 28 at 10 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Marlow. The family requests donations be made to Wounded Warriors or any charity of choice in lieu of flowers.

Online condolences may be made to www.CallawaySmithCobb.com