Roy Charles Harper

Roy Charles Harper, 78, was born on October 6, 1932, and passed away on April 3, 2011, at Genesis West Hospital. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 7, 2011 10:00 a.m. in the Runge Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at the mortuary. Burial will be in Blue Grass Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to www.TheRungeMortuary.com

He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Abraham Lincoln said, it isn’t the years in a life that counts in the end, but the life in the years. This statement sums Roy’s life perfectly. Roy lived a large life, and was a true force of nature. He became a successful man living by the following precepts: own what you say and do; treat everybody and everything with respect and care, even if you don’t believe it is deserved; and contribute. Roy touched the lives of many people and lived a happy, fulfilled life.

When he was 11 ½ years old, Roy had two paper routes in Minneapolis, MN. At 12 he added the position of station manager, and was responsible for starting up the coal stove in the building, and making sure all the paper carriers received their papers. He likes to tell of collecting paper route money at the army barracks; to save time, he would knock on two doors at once.

In high school in 1951, he made good use of his paper route money when he purchased the first of many cars, a 1950 Chevrolet Styleline convertible, and paid $1,250 cash. Eventually, in high school, he worked at a used car lot, where he owned more vehicles than the lot owner.

He was in the Army in 1953, and was in South Korea in 1954. The first of his six children was born while he was in South Korea. Upon returning, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota. He learned how to fly at the University’s flight club and had owned first a Stinson Voyager and various other planes in his lifetime. He had a wife, three children, and a new house when he graduated in 1957 with honors.

The day after graduation, Roy got on a bus to Davenport, Iowa. He purchased a Napa Auto Parts Store in Davenport, and then others in Dewitt and Maquoketa. He started a trucking company and had 14 Mack trucks, carrying grocery items and U.S. Mail. Then friends asked him to build a commercial building for their Ford dealership in Dewitt. The race was on. Roy worked day and night as though being chased by fire, he was having fun.

He became a developer, by purchasing a 100 Acre farm west of Blue Grass, called Harper’s Addition, and subdivided it into ten, ten Acre parcels, most with their own lakes; and constructed a grass airstrip with farming equipment for his own use. His second new home was built there.

In 1974 he purchased a 422 Acre farm, and developed Village Oaks Subdivision. He designed the water system that supplies the entire subdivision, 103 homes, dug the 3 ½ Acre Lake, built a 7,200 SF hanger (for his many tractors, backhoe, etc.) and a 1951’ X 160’ grass airstrip, with nine inches of rock beneath it, (this time with construction equipment), put in roads and water lines.

After traveling to and from his home in Harper’s Addition to Village Oaks seven times one day, Roy announced to his wife that they would be building a home in Village Oaks. The drive wasted too much time. A very precious commodity to Roy.

It was an easy step for Roy to go from Real Estate Developer to Real Estate Broker. Roy first worked for a local company, and then started Roy Harper Realty. He was a Real Estate Broker for nearly 40 years, until he retired in 2008.

Roy had six children. Sadly, five preceded him in death. Four of his children died of Cystic Fibrosis: Laurie – 13 days, Joy – 5 years, Lisa – 11 years, and David – 11 years. His oldest daughter, Kathy died at age 34 of breast cancer.

Roy was very proud of his mother, Dorothy, who had been an executive with the Lumberman’s Association, located in Minneapolis, MN, and who died in 1991. His father Ray Charles Harper died in 1969. Roy learned his incredible work ethic from his wonderful and accomplished mother, and father.

His good friend Ron Luetz recently said, “Roy was a great man, who made himself and remade himself many times in his life”. Roy understood the value and necessity of flexibility in business. He was always thinking of what could be, for him, in the future. Roy is survived by his loving wife, Mary Pat Harper, his lovely daughter Karen Harper, granddaughter Laurie Gryp, great-granddaughter Nemi Kennedy, step-sons Nathan Lord, and Ryan Lord, and grandchildren, Andrew Lord, Olivia Lord and Natalie Lord.

Roy had many professional and fraternal affiliations. He enjoyed the camaraderie of KAABA Shrine, Masons, Mohasson Grotto, and the American legion. He was a member of the Napa Jobber Association.

Roy is badly missed. He was one of a kind.