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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
John D
Harper
March 9, 1929 – September 26, 2018
Obituary
Dr. John Davis "Dinky" Harper passed away on September 26, 2018 at the age of 89. Services will be held on Sunday, September 30 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada, MS officiated by Dr. Brent Barker. Visitation will begin at 1:30 followed by the funeral at 3:00 with burial at the family plot at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Harper Arnold, Taylor Arnold, Brooke Burkhalter, Carlie Godwin, Brian Jones and Taylor McElroy will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include Dynamite Kirk, Bo Breland, Charlie Breland and the deacons of Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Dr. Harper was born in Grenada, MS on March 9, 1929, son of the late Buck and Laura Harper, where he graduated from Grenada High School in 1947. Among his high school honors were being named captain of the football team, President of his class, Mr. Grenada High School and also a National Honor Society Member. After graduation, John attended Delta Community College on a football-baseball scholarship. After only one year in college, the Korean War interrupted his studies as he was drafted into the Army. He served in Germany as part of the NATO Forces in the Twenty Ninth Field Artillery Battalion. Upon honorable discharge from the military in 1952, he enrolled at the University of Mississippi. After completing his pre-dental requirements, he was accepted into dental school at the University of Tennessee. Following graduation from UT in 1957, he returned to his hometown of Grenada where he practiced for 37 years.
In the community, Dr. Harper served as PTA president, Little League Baseball president, and a member of the Grenada County Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, V.F.W., and Ole Miss Alumni Association. He was also involved in the Mississippi Dental Association and a lifetime member of the American Dental Association. His most cherished membership was always his church, Emmanuel Baptist. He taught Sunday school for over 40 years and served as a deacon as well as other various committees.
Dr. Harper was an avid golfer, belonging to Grenada Country Club, Mississippi Seniors Golf Association and the Delta Area Senior Golfers. When asked about the caliber of his golf game, he would reply "I hit it and if I can find it, I hit again!". Actually he had a 10 handicap at the age of 75.
Dr. Harper was quick to tell you that his greatest accomplishment was marrying a beautiful twenty-two year old named Sally Lane and this exquisite love affair continued for 68 years. He is survived by his wife Sally, daughters Cathy Godwin (Carlie) and Robin Jones (Brian) all of Starkville, MS. Dr. Harper "a.k.a Pawpaw" was devoted to his grandchildren: Harper Arnold and Taylor Arnold of Starkville, MS, Candice Brown (Curt) of Fairhope, AL, Lindsey Burkhalter (Brooke) of Starkville, MS, Melissa Godwin of Guntersville, AL, Patrick Jones of Birmingham, AL, Erin McElroy (Taylor) of Birmingham, AL, Sarah Beth Phelps (Cole) of Hernando, MS. His great grandchildren include Isabella and Gabrielle Brown; Ayden, Rollins and Crews Burkhalter; Edie Godwin; and Morgan, Mahlon and Jacob McElroy. He is also survived by his brother Bobby Harper (Jo) of Columbus, MS. In addition to his parents, Dr. Harper is preceded in death by his son David Harper, sisters Betty Ruth Carpenter, Peggy Hough, and Ruby Harper; brothers Dale, Bill and Jack Harper.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the building fund at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada, MS or First Baptist Church in Starkville, MS.
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