Fr. Harper Obituary
Obituary
Fr. James Lovett Harper, Rector Emeritus of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Bonita Springs, died March 17, 1998. He was born March 8, 1930 in Chicago Heights, Ill., the son of J. Watson Harper and Agnes C. Harper. He graduated from the Carl Schurz High School and the University of Illinois, Champaign.
He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the United States Navy. Following the war he attended Nashotah House Seminary, Nashotah, Wisc., and was ordained to the Diaconate in June of 1964 and to Priesthood on Dec. 19, 1964.
During his Priesthood, he served as Deacon-in-Charge, then Vicar of Grace Church in New Lenox, Ill.; Rector of Calvary Church, Batavia, Ill.; Vicar of St. Mark's, So. Milwaukee, Wisc.; and concluded his ministry as Rector Emeritus at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Bonita Springs.
Fr. Harper is survived by his wife of 22 years, Jeannine Harper of Bonita Springs; five children: James L. Harper, Jr. of Lake Forest, Ill., Mary Harper of San Jose, Calif., Catherine Finn of Kennebunk, Maine, Timothy Harper of San Francisco, Calif., and step-son, Dale Cook of Fort Myers Beach.
Fr. Harper was known for his work in many different areas, namely the area of recovery ministry in Substance Abuse and Addiction. He served for ten years for the Diocese as the Chairperson of the Committee on Alcohol and Substance Recovery. He served for five years on the National Committee for the Recovery from Alcohol and Substance Abuse. He served for twelve years on the board of directors for the Southwest Florida Addiction Services, and other organizations including The Care Club of Collier County and St. Matthew's House. The family requests in lieu of flowers that contributions be made in the name of or designated to all or each of the above, or to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Cir., Fort Myers FL 33908.
The Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated on Saturday, March 21, 1998, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 9801 Bonita Beach Road, by The Right Reverend John B. Lipscomb, Bishop of Southwest Florida, assisted by the Reverend R. James Larsen, Rector of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Bonita Springs, along with the Diocesan Clergy.
Walter Shikany's
Bonita Funeral Home
992-4982
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