Don Harper

Don was born August 1, 1929 in Mt. Vernon, Oregon, the son of Mabel and Loren Harper. At age 15, he and his two older brothers, Eldon and Elmer joined the Navy and saw service on Okinawa. After his Honorable Discharge, he returned and completed his high school education in Oregon. Don then enrolled at Oregon State University, where he met his wife, Hannah in Portland, where she was in her first year of teaching.

They married in Hannah’s home-state of Colorado and Don received his degree in Education. He taught for a short while in La Mesa, California, but later returned to Colorado and accepted a job as Intramural Director for the University of Colorado. During that time, while working full-time and going to school, he received his Master’s degree in Education. It was also during that time that Don and Hannah welcomed their sons, Doug and Dave into the family.

The family then moved to Astoria, Oregon where Don became Director of Recreation and Director of Residence Halls, for the Job Corp at the University of Oregon. A love of Colorado then called them back and Don completed his Master’s Degree in Counseling and became a counselor at Boulder Valley Schools at the Boulder Vocation Tech Center. He later became a Job Placement Specialist and cherished his time working with at-risk youth and helping anyone who needed a friend.

Don and Hannah retired from teaching in 1987 and spent time in Arizona each winter and traveled to New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the Far East. Don was an accomplished wood-worker and was the “classic” handyman. He enjoyed bowling, golf, playing cards and “hanging out” in his workshop. He had many great years of retirement.

Don was preceded in death by his mother Mabel and father Loren, three brothers, Allen, Elmer, and Eldon. He is survived by his wife Hannah, sons David (Carole) and Doug (Kelly) and three grandchildren, Preston, Tyler, and Alicia, a brother Bob and a sister Ruth. Don was someone who would never say “no” to a friend.

Services will be held11:00 a.m. Friday, January 11, 2013 at Crist Mortuary Chapel at 3395 Penrose Place in Boulder.

In memory of Don, please donate to Hospice Care of Boulder and Broomfield County, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026 To send condolences please go to www.cristmortuary.com.