John Douglas Harper

John Douglas Harper, 78, passed away at his home, Sunday, November 2, 2025 following lingering illness. Doug was born in Wallace, Idaho, in January 1947, the eldest son of Herb and Irene Harper. He grew up on King Street in Wallace and on Spokane’s south hill. His family moved from Spokane back to Wallace just in time for Doug to graduate from Wallace High School with the class of 1965. He attended the University of Idaho pledging the Phi Gamma Delta house and graduated with a degree in communications.

Doug was a natural athlete, as a youngster he competed as a diver for the Manito Country Club. He enjoyed sky diving, skiing, scuba diving and excelled at golf. Doug was a skilled musician, a voracious reader, and a baker of the best chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Over the years Doug worked as a stockbroker, a math teacher, a reading specialist, eventually picking up his PGA card.

He married his high school girlfriend, Carol Brandon in 1968 and they had two children together. In 1985 he married Melinda Winther, while they later divorced they remained close until his death. Doug spent several years teaching math on Guam where he was joined by his brother Rob and wife, Kathy, and later by Melinda all of whom had teaching positions there. Some of Doug’s fondest memories were of this beautiful tropical island and the Philippine Sea.

Doug lived his life by his own rules, as he wished. Doug is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Irene Harper, a brother, Robert, and nephew, Thomas Grismer. He is survived by his son, Alan (Judith) Harper of Ashland, Oregon, daughter, Summer Brandon of Ashland, Oregon, two grandchildren, Katherine and John Harper, his sisters, Maryann Jensen, Spokane, and Helen (John) Grismer of Billings, Montana, two nephews, Dustin (Kristi) Jensen, Lynnwood, Washington, George (Shenae) Grismer, Three Forks, Montana, and bonus children, Chris (Laura) Winther, Washington, DC, and Sara Winther, and her daughters, Louise and Josephine, Paris, France.

There is no service planned at this time, but a private family gathering at Shoshone Golf Club will be held in the spring.