Joseph G. Harper

He was born on March 1, 1937 in Indianapolis, IN, the son of Chester and Hazel (Armstrong) Harper. He grew up in Yakima, WA, where he graduated High School.

He married Joycelyn A. Sargent in 1964 in a ceremony in Yuma, AZ.

After High School, he joined the United States Marine Corps. And over a 21 plus year career, he rose to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He served 4 tours in Vietnam, and was a Drill Sergeant at the Marine Base in San Diego, CA. After retirement from the military, he went on to work for the Bureau of Reclamation for another 20 years.

In February of 2007, he moved to Keene and worked at Wal Mart as a store greeter and in Loss Prevention, until his health declined.

Mr. Harper was a member of the Morningside Baptist Church in Yuma, AZ, where he was a Deacon, a Camp Counselor and taught Awana Bible study for kids and also taught Sunday School.

Mr. Harper is survived by his children: Butch Irons and his significant other Paulakay DeKemper of Spottsville, KY, Cheryl Revels of Keene, Kay Spencer of Desert Hot Springs, CA and Paula Mann and her husband Orie of Rancho Mirage, CA; a sister Audrey McConnell and her husband Bud of Yakima, WA; six grandchildren: Kenneth Spencer III, Mason Spencer, Joseph Dominguez and his girlfriend Jessica Wright, Dontai Revels, Tannie Underwood and Candace Knowlton and her husband Larry; seven great grandchildren: Kayla, Jamacio, Jeremy, Keyouna, Landon, Logan and Liam; as well as many nieces and nephews.he is predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Joycelyn Harper and 11 of his 12 siblings.

A Celebration of Life for Mr. Harper will be held at 6:30 pm on Wednesday at the Life Journey Church, 570 Park Ave, Keene. Burial will take place at a later date in Yuma AZ. There are no public Calling Hours. The Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com ), 33 Marlboro St., Keene, NH, is in charge of the arrangements.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Mr. Harper’s name to the Life Journey Church, 570 Park Ave, Keene, NH 03431.