Harry Neil Harpole

Harry grew up in Jacksonville, graduating from the local high school in 1946. He attended Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas) from 1946-1950 earning a bachelor’s in general business in 1950. He was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity. In his sophomore year, Harry joined the Army National Guard, beginning a 12-year commitment that would also include service in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. He discharged with the grade of captain.

Upon graduation, Harry was employed in accounting positions by Jennings Fixture Company in Little Rock from 1951-1953 and Tecon Corp. in Jacksonville in 1954. Harry joined Texas Eastern Transmission Corp. in Baytown, Texas in 1954 commencing a 32-year career that would also include assignments in Shreveport, La., and the executive offices in Houston. His career included positions in accounting, computer systems, corporate planning, corporate forecasts, comptroller staff, and financial reports. He retired July 1, 1986 while supervisor of regulatory reports.

Not long after arriving in Baytown in the mid-1950s, Harry met Sally Harriett Butler in the library at Lee College where Sally was a student and working in the library. Their romance was soon interrupted when Texas Eastern transferred Harry to Shreveport. Not to be deterred, Harry drove back to Baytown on weekends until Sally graduated. They were married on June 9, 1956 and she joined him in Shreveport in a union that would last 64 years until her death in 2020.

Harry and Sally would return to Houston in 1967 with three children: Jeri Lynn, David and Doug. They resided in Westbury until 1993 when they moved to west Houston and then to Clear Lake in 2017 to be near family.

A dedicated father, Harry was involved in many activities of his children including serving as scorekeeper and team dad for their little league baseball teams. He was active in their Boy Scout programs, continuing on as a liaison to local scout troops long after his sons moved on. At work, he served as a Junior Achievement advisor for high school students.

In retirement, Harry was active in the Texas Eastern Retirees’ Club serving as a board member, treasurer and chairman. He was the activities chairman of the Briar Village seniors club for many years, organizing dozens of regional outings for friends and neighbors. For more than 20 years Harry and Sally were food service volunteers at the Tallowood Baptist Church Wednesday Culinary Ministry. They also were dedicated poll workers in west Houston on election days for many years.

Harry is survived by children Jeri Sharp (Larry), David Harpole (Christine) of Houston, and Doug Harpole (Susan) of Amissville, Va.; grandchildren Ashley Kennedy (Matt), Adam Sharp (Bethany), Oliver Sharp, Elizabeth Snell (Ethan), Stephen Harpole (Jessica), Annette Harpole, Natalie Harpole and Nathan Harpole (Kalie). Great grandchildren include Carson Snell, Lucy Harpole, Meredith Snell, Hallie Harpole, Barrett Snell, Joanna Harpole, Dexter Sharp, Carson Lovern, Everett Harpole and Calvin Harpole. He is also survived by his sister Nell Jones. He is preceded in death by his wife Sally Butler Harpole, parents Harry Harpole and Bessie Jewell Boyd and sister Opal Mallett.

Funeral services will be held August 9, 2025 at Forest Park East Chapel, 21620 Gulf Freeway at 10:00 AM followed by interment. Dr. Duane Brooks from Tallowood Baptist Church will officiate. Visitation will precede the service at 9:00 AM.