Mr. Clyde Lamar Harper, 81 of Douglas, GA., passed away on January 26, 2018 in Douglas, GA., surrounded by his loving family, close friends, and members of his church family.
Mr. Harper was born in Irwin County at Wray, Ga., on August 28, 1936 to the late Lauris Echart Harper and Rosalie Griffin Harper. After graduation from Irwin County High School in Ocilla, GA., he worked at Douglas Truck and Tractor Co., in 1955, then he started to work at Kitchens Tractor Co., until 1957. He later helped form a company “Champion Truss Co.” in Mt. Vernon, Ga, traveled as a sales manager and Assistant Manager over several states selling trusses for apartments and condo complexes. In 1970 he started farming full-time, as self-employed, he had always farmed on the side in his spare time. He loved farming, and in 1988 he was awarded “Farmer of the year” by the Douglas-Coffee Farm Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, and earned several “Peanut Grower Awards” before retiring in 2002. Also, on his off-farming season he had a crew that planted pine trees for the ASCS offices in several counties for farmers who signed up for that program. He was a member of “The American Tree Farm Service” and Timber. A loving husband, father, brother, papa and friend who was devoted to family, friends, neighbors and to the Lord. In all he did, he believed in the virtues of hard work and high standards. A very faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church he served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher and on various committees, always willing to help with any church duty when called upon. He loved the Lord, his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, loved studying his bible every day and loved to reach out to people that were in need. He enjoyed his car racing sports, football, the Atlanta Braves and watching Golf. He loved his county, and was a member of the U.S. Army though the National Guard. In 2006 the family moved to Douglas to the Mallard Point Community where he was loved being involved with his neighbors and their activities. He enjoyed “The Bone Pickers Club” that met every Wednesday at noon, he would go to the farm daily to see what was happening at the farm shop and land.
He is survived by: his wife of 56 wonderful years, Wanda Caves Harper; daughter-in-law, Angela Tucker Harper of Wray, Ga; grandchildren: Candace Harper and husband Kyle Grist of Tifton, GA., Calan Lamar and wife Kristin Valerie Rozar Harper of Wray, Ga.; great-grand daughters: Harper Elizabeth Grist and Hunter Amelia Grist of Tifton, Ga., Anna Kate Harper and Caroline Valerie Harper of Wray, Ga.; sister, Peggy Tucker of King, N.C.; brother, Gerald Harper of Ashville, N.C.; and several special nieces and nephews.
Special longtime friends over the years from Australia, (Irma and Gerry Roberts). He was preceded in death by: his only child, Christopher Lamar Harper, age 42 of Wray, Ga; brothers: Steve Harper of Valdosta, GA., and Ray Harper and his wife Mary of Wray, Ga.; and a brother-in-law, Winston Tucker.
The funeral service was held Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 2 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church in Ambrose, GA.
Interment followed at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, in Ambrose, GA.