Stephens Lafayette Harp, Jr. (Steve) was born June 11, 1940, at Riverside Hospital in Montezuma, GA. He passed away June 4, 2024 at Floyd Medical Center in Rome, GA. He was the son of Dr. Stephens Lafayette Harp and Ruth Lillian Shroyer Harp of Marshallville, GA. Steve became fascinated with steam locomotives while he and his mother stayed with her family in Oglethorpe, GA, during the time his father was serving in the U. S. Navy as a Medical Officer. Later, the family moved to Cochran, GA, where Steve attended grammar school, and then to Toccoa, GA, where Steve became the Salutatorian of his 1958 Toccoa High School graduating class.
After a family trip to the western U. S. showed Steve the many wonders of the great outdoors, he enrolled at the George Foster Peabody School of Forestry at the University of Georgia, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Forest Management.
After graduation, he joined the U. S. Air Force, completed Officer Training at Lackland AFB, Texas and was trained in meteorology at Pennsylvania State University. Assigned to Det 3, 3rd Weather Squadron at Myrtle Beach AFB, SC, he served as a forecaster and Detachment Commander. It was there Steve met his wife to be, Brenda Gaye Martin, and they were married in June 1967. The Corvair in which they dated and rode in on their honeymoon, remained a prized possession for more than half a century.
In 1968 when the couple moved to Rome, GA, Steve took a forestry job with Georgia Kraft Company and Brenda taught in the Rome City Schools. They were blessed with two daughters, Melissa Ruth in 1970 and Jenny Marie in 1974. Over the years there were many trips to visit family in Augusta, GA, and Blackville, SC. Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, SC were frequent destinations as well as many mountain trips. Trips were made to all the lower 48 states, Alaska, numerous National Parks, Canada, Mexico and the Alpine region of Europe.
After Steve and Brenda retired in the early 2000s, much time was spent with their grandchildren and volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, Bagwell Food Pantry and several other organizations in Rome. Steve joined a hiking group and for several years enjoyed seeing remote areas in NW Georgia and identifying wildflowers. At home, he liked reading, gardening, staying in touch with friends and his brothers Bill and Sam, picnics and frequent walks on the trails around Rome with his daughter Missy. He was delighted when his daughter, Jenny recently moved back to Rome from South Carolina, and they could once again play their silly games.
For many years the family has been active at Rome First United Methodist Church with Steve holding a number of leadership positions. Important parts of his spiritual life included Bible studies, the Men’s Prayer Breakfast Group and projects he quietly took on around the church.
He is survived by his loving wife Brenda Martin Harp, children Melissa Ruth, Jenny Marie, grandchildren Albert Ralston Bruder IV (Alston), and Tyler nee Olivia Bruder. His brothers John Samuel Harp, Colonel, USAF (Ret) (Kathy) and William L. Harp, MD (Karen), and niece Leigh Harp Walls (Gerry) also survive him.
His sweet spirit and words of encouragement always lifted the spirts of others and he will be missed by many.
A service will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 3:00 at the Rome First United Methodist Church. The family will visit with friends in the sanctuary beginning at 1:30. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Rome First United Methodist Church 202 East 3rd Avenue Rome, GA 30161.
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