(picture)

Sam Jay Harper, 69, died Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at his home in Joplin, Mo., surrounded by his family.

His body was donated to the University of Kansas.

Sam Jay Harper was born April 12, 1944, at Kennard to William and Pearl Wilderson Harper. He was raised by William and stepmother Gladys Rosenbaum Harper.

He went to school in Kennard until its closing in 1960 and then attended Blair High School. He received his GED at Hastings College in Hastings.

On May 29, 1974, he married Geraldine Holder of Hastings.

He worked at various jobs in Omaha and Joplin. He was a delivery driver and worked for Fastrip until retiring because of his health. He loved his computer and all of his political Facebook friends.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; stepdaughters: Vicki Martin and husband Pat of Grand Island and Terri Lovato and husband Will of Sheldon, Mo.; stepson Craig Rathjen of Springfield, Mo., and special stepson Ricky Rathjen of Talladega, Ala.; sister JoAnn Reed and husband Don, of Clear Lake, Iowa; sister-in–law Darlene Harper of Kennard; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Pearl; stepmother Gladys; sisters Patricia Brauer and Gwen Lee Hansen; brother William Harper Jr.; and stepdaughter Wanda Gosnell.

Condolences may be sent in care of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Mo., or to 3DogDay@Cableone.net.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~