I always admired Mr. Harper.  Being one of 2000 sales reps, he always made you feel as you were the special one.  Can't say enough good about him.  May he Rest In Peace and blessings to his family.

We lost a wonderful human being. John, I will never forget you. The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said. Rest in peace my friend.

John was such a good man, loved his family and church so much. I volunteered with John at RUMC Job Networking for years.  I know he is thrilled to now be resting in peace with Jean.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with him.  He was such a wonderful man with a caring soul.  We never lost contact over the years.  Always enjoyed swapping Christmas cards every year.  I hate that I was out of town when he passed.  Prayers for his family.  Cindy Holton Mashburn

A true gentleman and always made our sales meetings entertaining.  He will be missed.

I'm very saddened by this news.  He was such a great person, did so much good for everyone he met and touched many lives.

My condolences to his family.

John Harper was a great man with a keen mind for business and an unmatched sense of humor.  There may never be another like him.
May he rest in peace and our thoughts and prayers for John and his family.
Kim and Doug Scharafin

John always care about the person and understood their value.  He was loved because of that.  I was blessed to have had an opportunity to work with him.  I will keep John and his family in my thoughts and prayers.

How special it was to see John and JoAnn at Horace's funeral only a short time ago, and meet Susan who looks so much like her mother. John and I went through elementary and high school together and we lived on the same street. I have many pleasant memories and I know John is in heaven with Jesus and Jean. God bless all of you his family.  Laura Mayes Rosser

John was the best boss anyone could ever ask for. A true good soul. He was a great leader of men and received admiration and respect from all who worked with him and for him. I am sure your soul will rest in peace.

I worked with John for many years in the corporate offices of Zep in Atlanta.  He was a gentleman and a gentle man.  John had a great sense of humor and enjoyed making jokes about himself that made our sales meetings more enjoyable and sometimes bearable.  He will always be remembered for beginning his presentations at sales meeting with "all right you suckers, listen up".  Somewhere during his presentation he would always precede something he was hawking with "good looking; leather looking . . ."

Rest in peace, John.  You earned it.

John was a very special person.  We had some good times together also
with his wife, Jean.  He was very special to us.
Susan and the rest of his family  our love and prayers go out for all of you.
Ray and Jodi Culver

John was just a great guy and a real southern gentleman.  We loved having him in Prime Time Singers and the Sanctuary Choir at RUMC, and will miss him dearly.  But he fought the good fight and had a long and wonderful life. He will be welcomed by Jean and others who have gone before him, and heaven will be even better by having John there.

John, you will be missed. At any Zep meetings, we couldn't wait for your time at the podium to present us any new great novelties. Great souvenirs and an unforgettable voice. What a gentleman you were.

John, rest in peace.

I worked for John for all my 27 years at Zep great manRr

I hope I am half the parent that you were to your children Mr. Harper - peace be with you and with your family.

Susan, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.  Love you.

I worked for Zep 9 years.  Truly one of the few segments of our lengthy sales meetings, which I enjoyed was John Harper's presentation.  I still laugh about his "Hongy Kongy" customer gifts which were above all CHEAP!  The one that still brings a smile to my face, after 25+ years was an unzipable, EXPANDABLE tote bag to which John added, "and some of you should be so lucky".  Above all, John had class, southern grace and a marvelous, subtle, southern sense of humor.  G-d Speed John.

John Harper. The part you played in any ZEP meeting was always the one we couldn't wait to see and nobody wanted to miss. It was the fun part. You always made us laugh. Thanks John for being who you are.

John Harper was a leader, a mentor, a boss and a friend.  He was admired by all who met him.  Thanks for the memories.

Johnny was a warm and loving individual from a warm and loving family. I can see his smile as it was in 1944. His presence always gave a sense of well-being and joyfulness to those around him. He was a dependable and loyal friend to many.  God bless you, Johnny, and give comfort to those who love you. 

Monkey

John & I met at a business meeting...from the initial meeting John was a true southern gentleman....a terrific person.
Rest in Peace,

Bob Cohen

John was the patriarch to those of us who worked on the "inside" at ZEP. He was fiercely loyal to the company, the employees, and the ideals that made it a great company to work for. His warmth and friendship contributed so much to the "family" atmosphere we all enjoyed. Rest in peace John.

"Honest John" Harper has been a friend for over 35 years, from the time he spent a week in New Berlin, WI setting up a branch.  He is without question, one of the best people I have ever known and even after he was no longer with Zep, we have kept in touch.  He told me at Christmas that he was fighting cancer and I certainly hoped for better.  I see his photo and it is so sad that he is gone. He was the best of the best!!  He always joked that something remarkably cheap was "Gold Looking" ,"Diamond Looking"  or "Leather Looking"  thus the name "Honest John"  The difference was that John Harper was the real thing- there was nothing fake about him. He was one of a kind, the real kind and will be missed.  Bob Haugh  Zep Milwaukee

"Honest John!", you always made dry subjects as funny as you could. Always knew I would get at least one Hanukkah Card, and that would be from you. RIB old friend. Norman Baellow, KC Branch.

Dear John, you were a breath of fresh air at ZEP, a loyal friend and motivator; Yes indeed you were the "LAST of the GOOD Guys" RIP good friend and enjoy eternity.
Nazmy Wasfy

Mr. H, thank you for all the great memories you gave to so many Zep-people. Your southern warmth and humor will be missed but not forgotten.

John was a man of integrity. Well respected by everyone that he can in contact with. I worked with John at Zep and loved his sense of humor. I would pass him in the hallway and he would ask it I needed any technical advice. He was loved by all. Dan Adams, Manager of Technical Support.

The Russell High School Class of 1948, extends to each member of John's family our deepest sympathy.

We have pleasant memories of our times together at school functions throughout the years, he was very supportive of the activities of our class.

John approached life as an optimist and a fighter until the end.

He will be sorely missed.

Sincerely,

Jean Ann Sewell Hartley
Bill McKibben, Chairman of RHS Class 1948

Papa John. I think of him every time I wear that nice heavy blue bathrobe we got at the sales meeting many, many years ago. As he presented the annual price increases and promos,the room would erupt with catcalls for lower costs for both. What a magnificent gentleman. He was truly one of the faces of the old Zep. He will be missed.

Brother John: You were an loyal friend and mentor from 1971 until 1999 when I was at ZEP... Jean & you were never to busy to lend a helping hand to anybody in need ... you were one of the "LAST of the GOOD Guys" There are dozens of people who's lives are better because of you. RIP John 
Bob Blitz

OBITUARY

Mr. John R. Harper Jr.

24 June, 1931 – 11 July, 2017

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