AMERICAN FORK , Harold Ray Harper, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away April 13, 2000 in American Fork,
Ut. at age81.
Ray was born Sept. 29, 1918 in Grenada, Siskiyou County, California to Jasper Vanver Harper and Mary Lorene Bartee. He married Ruby Thora Maurer Dec-ember 10, 1945. Later solemnized in the Los Angeles Temple. Ruby was the love of his life, with whom he is now reunited after six long years.
Ray's life was marked by hard work, dedication to family and God, and a kind word for all. He was raised in and around Los Angeles, working in the CCC camps at the tender age of 15. During World War II, he was ground crew chief in the Army Air Corps, serving in New York, Arkansas, and Texas, where he met a beautiful young WAC who later became his bride. Ray and Ruby worked side by side for 49 years, building, remodeling, gardening, and making the world a better place.
Ray earned his living as a skilled carpenter, builder, and building inspector in Southern California; Orem, Utah; and Kansas City, Missouri. His work experience included Chief Building Inspector on the state-of-the-art library in Huntington Beach, and Building Construction Manager for North American Aviation during the Apollo Programs. Ray concluded his career working at the LDS Church's Granite Mountain Vaults.
A dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ray served in many capacities, including member of a High Priest's Group Leadership and stake missionary at the Liberty Jail.
Ray is survived by sister, Betty Jo Chavez, Fort Bragg, CA; two daughters, Nancy Lowder (Jeff) of Sandy; and Susan Bennett (Jay) of Alpine; son, Michael Ray (Sandra) of Dana Point, CA; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; sisters, Fann Eva Tomlin and Violet Lagutaris; and brother, J.V. (Jack) Harper.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 18 at 1 p.m. at the Lakeridge 2nd Ward, 665 South 200 West, Orem, Utah. A viewing will be held Monday evening, April 16, from 6-8 p.m. at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street in Orem and 12-12:45 at the church before services. Interment will be at the Mount Moriah Terrace Gardens, Kansas City, Missouri.