Here is my favorite story about Mike, from way back in Dec 1999. I was a brand new MTOT, on 3rd shift in the Bindery, and it was the end of my first week. 

It was break time, and Mike said to me "So, Meta, how do you like it here at OSP?" "It's kind of nuts," I replied, "I'm not sure I can handle it." "Oh, no, you'll do fine" he said, quite enthusiastically. "And how long have you been working here?" I asked him. "Oh, I'm a veteran" he drawled slowly, pausing, pausing, still pausing, and then "I been here a month!!" And then the smile started, that big old smile that grew even bigger when he "got you!" real good. 

I knew right then that maybe I would be able to make it in this strange new job world, if this wonderfully silly guy was going to be in the building too!! Unforgettable, that's what you are, Mike.

Today was the day you physically left us. You were my best friend and my love for 42 yrs. I had a lot of firsts I had to go through this past yr without you. You WILL always be in my heart . I will be ok till I'm with you again.??and here's the icon that reminds me of you!??siily guy that you were! Love your #1 wife as I used to say!

Heard you sing today ;0) reminded me of time we watched you play the drums in the band at red lion inn..oh...our sons had their second sons this week!!! We are so happy...thanks for watching over them in heaven until they made it here...miss you!

Mike, we share a new grandson.  Born on September 11th at 8:11am to the best Mommy and Daddy.  Jack is a beautiful baby boy.  And his big brother Grayson loves him.  Wish you were physically here, but we know you and our loved ones in Heaven are looking over us today and helped bring Jack to us safely.  May God Bless You Mike

Your second grandson was born today. Jack Hudson Harper he was 9lb 4oz and 20 1/2" long I'm positive you were here basking in our happiness with us, it was an amazing day Dada I love you xoxoxo

We all miss you here Michael J.hornsbee, haven't called u that for a while. We do feel youre with us and that will be forever. You are a strong presence. This week a year ago was your last on this earth.you are having another grandson to be here any day to carry on the Harper name. You would have loved that! I miss you every day. Love kristi b.

I miss you so much today, our 1st Father's Day without you. You were the best dad for our beautiful kids. I chose well. I think of you every day and know you are always with me.?? ??
My love forever,kristi b

Happy Father's Day Dad. We miss you so much, love you xoxoox

Rest Well, Mike..... We Are All Watching Over Your Family. Think About You Alot....LoVe Kathy & Mike

Today youre 66!!!! Happy birthday Dada from all of us, we miss you beyond words can express. We wish you could have seen and experienced this year so far with us, but we know youre always with us, so I suppose every moment you ARE with us. Its been a good year so far I think. I think about you every single day, and I wish you were still physically here. Tell everyone up there with you that we say HI and miss them as much as we miss you, and happy birthday to Great Grandma Margie today too. Love, Ol' Ma, Neil, Desi, Baby and Tor Tor

Happy Birthday Mike.  We have the best memory of your last birthday and that great BBQ brisket.  We miss you.

Happy birthday Mike.Your sis and I think about you EVERY day. To us you are still at the house, and going to work. We are just not ready to let it sink in that you are gone. So we will keep thinking of you, and you keep going to work and we love you. your big bro. Dennis

Next week it'll be the "first birthday without you here", Mike. That's a hard "first", some say it's the hardest ... But you know that ... Your spirit will shine even brighter for your nearest and dearest. One never loses the love. Never.

Hey Mike, there's a museum down by Palm Springs dedicated to General George Patton and his troops who trained in the desert for the North Africa campaign in WWII.  They recently incorporated the West Coast Vietnam Veteran's Wall and I sent in your name for inclusion in the Wall.  I'll check it out for you next year, not sure when they add names,

Seven months since you left me today. Wish you were here I miss everything that you did I especially miss holding you................ But I know you're with me I love you. KH

Yesterday was a hard day for me. It seems like forever and just last week that you left us but I feel you here with me and around me every day and in my dreams. I love you forever. your one and only ME.

Tomorrow will be March 13th, 2013; six months since Mike Harper left the planet. Sending best wishes to his family. Thought you might like to know that there are others who are remembering him too.  I'm still missing him; rather expect I always shall. Really Good Guys make that kind of an impression, don't you know. The happiness I feel from having known him is a comfort. How fortunate you were to have called him brother, husband, father, uncle, grandpa!

Greetings to Kristi & All of Mike's Family ~
I'm writing this on December 19th, 3 months and 6 days since Mike left, and I still miss him like heck. I hope your November events were somewhat enjoyable, although bittersweet ... And now we're in The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!! I hope your holidays are magical, and I hope Mike has been "showing up", turning lights on & off, making things with bells ring, moving small objects around, leaving coins & feathers,and other such ways the human spirit has of saying "hey, I miss you too...". He Is just around the corner, you know, and he will always be your special angel. Lots of Love from Meta & Sharon

We missed you today. Thanks for the phone call this morning

TODAY HAS BEEN 2 MOS. SINCE YOU LEFT ME. I MISS YOU EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY AND I HOPE YOU LISTEN WHEN I TALK TO YOU. THIS MONTH IS HARD AS WE MET 42YRS AGO AND MARRIED 40 YRS AGO AND WE BECAME PARENTS TO BOTH OF OUR KIDS THIS MONTH. I LOVE YOU STILL...KRISI B

A heartfelt "thank you" and a salute to Mike on Veteran's Day.

It has been one month since Mike left the planet, but it still hurts like it was yesterday. He was such a nice guy. He is greatly missed and will be remembered fondly forever.

We sold your car today pops, mom got a great deal, but her and I were both sad to watch it drive away. We sold it to a guy who kinda reminded us of uncle Dennis hahaha weird huh. We love you and you'd be proud of mom she sold it in 23hrs!!!! Just like the Camry!!!! Love you dada

Kristi,

Pam and I were sorry to hear of Mike's passing.  We didn't see you much but have fond memories of visiting in Guernsey many years ago.  

Our prayers are with you.

Jim & Pam Swales

It was Grayson's bday party today, hope you liked all the train things we got him and used for decoration, your train set around his bday cake was perfect, love you dada nite nite

Creating your magic Dad.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l97eAum370M&feature=player_popout

Kristi, Neil, Tori & family--We Newton kids thought of "Mike & Kristi" as family.  Growing up across the street from you will always be a treasured memory and a true blessing of friendship.  Mike always had a smile on his face, was always puttering around in the garage or yard, and always was willing to do something fun.  I remember his enchiladas, singing around the guitar, boat rides on Guernsey Lake, and the El Camino.  You are a wonderful family and my heart goes out to all of you.  Love & Hugs, Debbie Newton Martinez

To Kristi, Neil, Tori, and all of Mike's family ~ Thank you for the lovely look into Mikey's World that you afforded us today at the celebration of his life. The love that your family has created and nurtured over the years was beautifully apparent, and I'm sure that Mike is proud of all of you.  The attached photo is of Mike in the Bindery at OSP. Kristi, I know I gave you a print of it today, but I thought I'd post it here for all to see. I had asked him for a picture for my memory book, on the occasion of my retirement. Most people would have simply stood still and smiled. Not our Mikey. He turned around, opened up a carton, and turned back around, framing his face with the box. It still makes me smile, even when I'm feeling teary. He'd want us to be strong, and so we shall try to be. Big hugs all around!

I first met Mike years ago when he came into Dr. Hargrove's office where I was working.We realized we lived around the corner from one another and complimented one another on how nice our yards were and what was going on in the neighborhood. Each time Mike came into the office he was a fountain of information on who in the neighborhood was moving,had moved away or was moving in. He kept telling me the place to be on the 4th of July was around the corner and to bring our own chairs. However,by far, my fondest memory of Mike is during my early morning walks around the neighborhood his honking as he passed me on his way to work and my waving madly at him. My early morning walks just won't be the same.

Kristi, Neil, Tori, stay strong on saturday and just remember how much everyone loved Mike and all of you. He brought a lot of smiles to a lot of people. If there is one thing we can learn from him it would be that life is to short to be anything but happy.
Remember all the good times you had and he will live forever.
Mike- I just want you to know how proud I was to have you for my brother. I`ll see you later bro.

Dennis.

What a wonderful man Mike was, I enjoyed working with him for many years at California Backyard. One of my favorite memories is that for my birthday and many others he would write his message backwards on card so that you would have to put it up to a mirror to read. I still have some of the cards. He could always make me smile.

I sure am going to miss Mike here at OSP. He was a wonderful man. He was funny, honest, sincere and loyal. I am so happy I got a chance to know him and I am so sorry he is gone.

We can't say enough about such a special person. We were truly blessed when Mike and Kristi came into our lives; Met in April 1980; We instantly clicked. Mike & Ed; Kristi & Mary Kay; Neil & Nate; Tori & Amy; Even our dogs loved each other. We were inseparable. Many fun filled days and nites at Guernsey Resevoir. Guys with their Atari Space Invaders, and endless nights of fun filled card games; Mike always kept us in stitches. I'm sure he is now entertaining all the other angels in Heaven, cause he surely is one.  We Love You Mike and will miss you.

I FEEL LIKE YOU ARE JUST AT WORK BUT I DO FEEL YOU WATCHING OVER ME I HOPE I DID EVERYTHING YOU WANTED. I LOVE YOU.LOVE YOUR LOVE FOR 40 YRS. ME

Mike was a sweet, sentimental man, generous and loving.  He'd give you the shirt off his back.  He was a musician and a poet.  He was a wonderful father-in-law to our daughter Desiree, and the best Grandpa a little boy could have to Grayson.  We miss him so much. Our hearts ???? are broken. Thank you Mike and Kristi for sharing your son with us.  We promise you we will tell Grayson all the wonderful, amazing, and funny stories about his Grandpa.

Rest in peace "Mikey". He was my co-worker at OSP and I'll forever remember his smile, laugh and most generous spirit.

My thoughts are with Kristi and her children. I've heard such wonderful things about Mike ;-}

FYI. Mike.moved to Douglas, WY his junior year.  We formed a band in Douglas but he moved to Glendo, WY his senior year and graduated from GHS in 1965.  After HS we moved to Denver and hung out and went to trade school.  He studied airline reservations at Parks School of Business before we joined the USAF in 1967.

What to say...I met Mike when he was stationed at Travis and I was up at McChord.  He was dating my sister. A couple of years later I was on my way to Guernsey in my "dress blues" to walk her down the aisle and hand her off to that big 'ol grin that became my brother.  When I came to Sac to say my "til we meet agains" he cracked a weak smile, eyes closed, and said "you gave her away 40 years ago, I want you to take her back".  I told him I would.  He was a wonderful human being and the world is a little less brighter without his smile and laugh.  He was one of those people when think of when you hear the term "loved ones".  We miss him.  Steve Mardi Kelsi Jake Kaiti Derek and (even though I never met him) Hadley.

Neil and family,
May prayers and thoughts are with you and your family in this time of need.  If there is anything I can do, please let me know.

Dear Neil and family- May I offer my deepest condolences to you during this difficult time. I hope all the wonderful memories your shared with your father will provide you comfort now.

Neil and Family-
I send my love, support,  and  deepest condolences.  I pray you and your family find the strenght to overcome this tragedy.

Mike  and I shared some great years together.  After high school we played music, he was a drummer back then.  We played 3/2 beer joints before being drafted.  After passing our physical, we joined the USAF together.  I was at Phan Rang and he was at Plaicu, Viet Nam.  We talked on military radio channels (no cell phones then).  Great memories.  I will miss him

It's not the fancy Disney imagineers candles but it works just the same

We will surely miss Mike and his very fun outlook on life. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him. Just knowing that he is no longer in pain is relief for all of his family and to know that God is holding him tight. Take care Kristi, TORI, Niel, Desi and Grayson. Blessed be!

Goodbye 'my other dad', you always made me laugh. I'll never forget the time you spilled the 32 oz soda in the car, or saying hello or goodbye as you tinkered in the garage. You will be greatly missed.

Kristi: I cannot tell you how sorry Wilma and I are to have learned of Mike's passing. Last we spoke you told me he was not feeling well but to read of his passing has us feeling low.
In my office there is a bottle of Miller Lite with a hand written note to me from Mike saying "have one on me" well I am not going to open it cause when I get there with him we can do it together.

Our love and prayers to you and the family. I will miss him!

Wilma and I are into Chicago tommorrow back the 25th so we will miss the service. I will altert Karen in the morning on the CBY side.

Hi dad, I love you beyond words, but I know you know that, I tell you every night. Neil mom and I are going to the races tonight, we know you'll be there too....bring your 'dads water'

Mike Harper was undoubtedly one of the kindest men to ever walk the earth. Always smiling, always joking, always sharing his joyous spirit with everyone he met. I am so very sorry that we didn't keep in touch after I retired. Rest in peace, Mike! You are loved. Sharon & I shall keep your autographed drumstick forever!!

Diana Case--big sister
Dennis Harper--big brother
You will always be in our heart.

OBITUARY

Michael Edward Harper

28 May, 1947 – 13 September, 2012

Lambert Funeral Home

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