PAUL STANLY HARPER, 72, of Ranger, TX died on
April 8, 2016.
He was born in Austin, TX at his childhood home, on
April 29, 1943 one of four brothers and a sister. His
childhood was a happy one full of mischief. Stan
graduated from Stephen F Austin High School. Following
graduation, Stan enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served
in Vietnam as a part of the Navy SeaBees. During his
tenure in the Navy he was awarded the Vietnam Service
Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service
Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Upon discharge,
Stan remained active in the reserves retiring after 24
years of service. Stan was an ardent patriot all of his
days.
Stan attended classes in architectural drafting at SW
Texas State and also Prairie View A&M obtaining his
teaching certificate in Building trades. Stan was a
builder by trade as he was in the service, and worked
in building and maintenance for many organizations as
well as running his own business. He married Barbara
Billingsley and together they had two boys, Mark and
Scott. Stan and Barbara parted ways after some years
and he remained devoted to his two sons. Following
several years, he met and married Rosemary Jameson &
became a father to her daughter Katherine.
Stan worked at Northview Development center in main-
tenance an also as a program director with some of the
special needs clients. He again became a great friend
and father figure to a special client, Robin Clark who
he continued to take to lunch & served as her guardian
for many years. He continued working for the Abilene
Reporter News and Ranger High School as a maintenance
supervisor as well as golf coach. Stan was always working
on a building project or repairing things. Stan enjoyed
many volunteer and social activities. He served the Boy
Scouts as a Scout Master. He served the Ranger Historical
Society, the Ranger and Eastland Lion?s clubs, Past Master
of the Gorman Masonic Lodge no. 716 and also served as
District Deputy Grand Master, Masonic District no. 73 of
the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas, The Order of
the Eastern Star, the American Legion, and served as an
officer for the Eastland VFW. He also enjoyed fishing,
bowling and was a certified diver. In his later years,
he developed into a consummate golfer playing at every
opportunity and many times winning on the tournament
circuit. He was also a talented photographer and enjoyed
taking pictures for his family and friends. Stan loved
interacting with others and serving his community. His
many friends and loved ones will miss his steady presence.
Stan joins his family Jim Harper and his parents that
pre-deceased him.
He is survived by his wife of thirty years, Rosemary
Jameson Harper of Ranger, brothers Joe Harper and Mike
Harper, and sister Carolyn Scott all of Austin TX. Other
survivors include his pride and joy sons: Mark Harper
and his wife Jenny of Kennewick, WA. Scott Harper and
his wife Danielle and their three lovely children:
Stephen Ray, Evelyn Jo, and Kennedy Joan and a baby
that will arrive in the fall, of Ranger. Katherine
Barker and her husband Carl & their precious children:
Gus, Sam, Morgan & Hali of Eastland. All of his grand-
children will remember his gift for flapjacks, pranks,
and love. Other survivors include a host of nieces and
nephews, sisters in law and brothers in law that were
integral to the man he became as well as many that he
served in the role of father figure. Of special note,
Grandmother Billingsley of Montana.