Jack C. Harper

Jack C. Harper, age 87, died at his home on December 11, 2014. He was born in Long Beach, California in 1927 but, at age 4, returned with his family to their Arkansas roots. At the young age of 16, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. By age 18, he had received FIVE Battle Stars. He continued with military service for a few years after the war ended. Later, after retiring to Prescott, AZ, he was one of the original five members of the Color Guard with the American Legion Post #6. He married Bobbie Jean, the love of his live and reason for being, in 1951 and moved to the Phoenix, AZ area shortly after. They raised two sons and have four grandchildren along with eight great grandchildren. Jack had a full time career with Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph (later called Mountain Bell). He loved his work and had many interesting stories from when he and his work crew installed phone lines in very remote places in Arizona. Some of these include the Jerome area and Peach Springs near the Grand Canyon. He had several job positions ending as a Security Manager when he retired in the early 1980’s. He was also a member of the Arizona Air National Guard and enjoyed traveling throughout the world. He had the envious position of load master. Nothing got on the planes without his O.K. He retired after 20 years of service in the mid-1970s. Jack and Bobbie moved to the Prescott area in the early 1980’s and so loved it here. They enjoyed outdoor activities – fishing, hiking, watching local wildlife and walking the Courthouse Square. Any time you went around town with Jack, it seemed everyone knew him and stopped for a quick chat. Jack was also involved with several community activities – Yavapai Elections department, DARE project and Lupus support groups to name a few. Jack started working hard and caring about others at a very young age. This was a theme throughout his life. He was loved and respected by so many. We miss you Jack.