R. Davis Harper

R. Davis Harper of Temple, Texas passed away on March 4th, 2017 in his home. He was 58. Davis was born in Temple, Texas on June 28th, 1958 to the late Dan C. and Suzanna Davis Harper. Davis was a 1976 graduate of Temple High School and attended Southwest Texas State University. He later graduated from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1979. Davis began his life of service to families by becoming a 4th generation funeral director in 1980 at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Temple, Texas. After working in the family business for a number of years, Davis and Philip Scanio opened Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in 1997, where he continued to serve the Temple community for many years. At an early age, Davis was active in the Boys Scouts of America and Temple Boys Choir. Later he became a member of Gideon’s International and was a member of the Temple Lions Club. He also enjoyed hunting, camping, hiking and especially trout fishing at his beloved Hermit Lakes in Colorado. His passion for reading became a lifelong enjoyment, especially in World War II, history and his family ancestry. He had the ability to talk for hours on just about any subject, but most of all he cherished being able to share the love of Jesus in scripture and prayer. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Russell Harper. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann, of Temple, Texas. He is also survived by his two sons Joshua (Heather) Harper of Temple, Texas, Cass Harper of Fort Worth, Texas and one granddaughter Ellie Harper also of Fort Worth, his sister Rashelle Harper of Temple, Texas and his twin brothers Ray Harper of Whitney, Texas and Rinn (Leslie) Harper of Leander, Texas. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 9th at 2:00 pm at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. Burial will be at Bellwood Memorial Park in Temple, Texas. Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 pm Wednesday, at the funeral home.