HARPER, Jack Carroll

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, December 14, 2014 Jack C. Harper, 87, of Prescott, Arizona, born June 17, 1927, in Long Beach, California, passed away Dec. 11, 2014. Services will be 1 p.m. Jan. 9, 2015 at the Prescott National Cemetery. Arrangements by Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home. ~~~~~~~~~ The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, January 04, 2015 Jack C. Harper, 87, died at his home on Dec. 11, 2014. He was born in Long Beach, California, in 1927 but, at age 4, returned with his family to their Arkansas roots. At the young age of 16, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. By age 18, he had received FIVE Battle Stars. He continued with military service for a few years after the war ended. Later, after retiring to Prescott, Arizona, he was one of the original five members of the Color Guard with the American Legion Post #6. He married Bobbie Jean, the love of his life and reason for being, in 1951 and moved to the Phoenix, Arizona, area shortly after. They raised two sons and have four grandchildren along with eight great-grandchildren. Jack had a full time career with Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph (later called Mountain Bell). He loved his work and had many interesting stories from when he and his work crew installed phone lines in very remote places in Arizona. Some of these include the Jerome area and Peach Springs near the Grand Canyon. He had several job positions, ending as a security manager when he retired in the early 1980s. He was also a member of the Arizona Air National Guard and enjoyed traveling throughout the world. He had the envious position of load master. Nothing got on the planes without his OK. He retired after 20 years of service in the mid-1970s. Jack and Bobbie moved to the Prescott area in the early 1980s and so loved it here. They enjoyed outdoor activities - fishing, hiking, watching local wildlife and walking around the courthouse square. Any time you went around town with Jack, it seemed everyone knew him and stopped for a quick chat. Jack was also involved with several community activities - Yavapai Elections department, DARE project and lupus support groups, to name a few. Jack started working hard and caring about others at a very young age. This was a theme throughout his life. He was loved and respected by so many. We miss you, Jack. Log onto www.ruffnerwakelin.com to view and sign Jack's guestbook. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with final arrangements. Information provided by survivors.