Dan C. Crittington Harper, 82, of Temple passed away surrounded by family on Friday, October 23, 2015. Service were held October 26, 2015 at First Christian Church and officiated by the Reverend Dr. Don Lynn. Entombment was at Bellwood Memorial Park. He was born August 19, 1933, to Orville Lee Sr. and Clara Emily Harper in Temple. He graduated from Temple High School in 1952, and married the late Suzanna Davis on June 5, 1954. He graduated from Temple Junior College in 1954 and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1956. A graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in 1957, he began his funeral service career with the family-owned Hewett Funeral Home in Temple. In 1964, he and co-founder Reuben Talasek opened Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Temple, serving the needs of families throughout Bell County. In later years, they opened funeral homes in the communities of Killeen, Rogers and Salado. He retired from the funeral services industry in 1996 and was the current owner of Bellwood Memorial Park. He was past president of the Bell County Texas Exes Association, served as Board of Director for the Temple Housing Authority, was a Board of Director of King’s Daughters Hospital, and trustee of Temple Junior College. He was also a Board member of the Temple Junior College Foundation and the Temple Education Foundation. He was a 32nd degree Mason and member of Knob Creek Lodge #401. He was also a member of Karem Shrine Scottish Rite Bodies of Waco, and was a member of the Temple Elks Lodge #138. Dan was an active member of the First Christian Church in Temple, with family and connections to the church dating back to the 1930’s. He joined the church in 1951, married the late Suzanna Davis at the church in 1954, and raised 5 children in the church. He served on the church board twice and was a two-term trustee of the church. He was Chairman of the House and Grounds Committee and was a member of the Tuesday morning men’s Bible Study. He served as a Deacon for many years. In 2004 he became an Elder of the church and particularly enjoyed serving communion to the shut-ins, extended prayer time at the elders’ meetings and the Easter prayer vigils. He helped provide meals to the Family Promise guests, served on the outreach action team, was a Boy Scout leader with the church-sponsored group and hosted the Wednesday night Bible Study group. He was awarded the Elder Emeritus in January, 2015. He is survived by his sons R. Davis Harper of Temple, Ray Harper and Donna Perry of Temple, and Rinn Harper and wife Leslie of Leander, TX, daughter Rashelle Harper of Temple, six grandchildren, Joshua Harper and wife Heather of Temple, Cass Harper of Emerado, ND, Aaron Harper of Temple, Katie Burnfield and husband Aaron of Virginia Beach, VA, Emily Trotter and husband Brandon of Morgan’s Point, TX and Jason Harper of Austin, TX; three great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Harper of Dallas, TX Ryder Trotter of Morgan’s Point, TX and Taylor Burnfield of Virginia Beach, VA. He is also survived by his brother O.L. Harper Jr. and wife Marjorie of Temple, sister Margie Louise Bruce of Temple and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his dear friend Marty Knight of Temple. He was preceded in death by his parents Orville Lee Sr. and Clara Emily Harper, his wife, Suzanna Davis Harper a son Russell Dan Harper and a sister Clara Lee Stano. Pallbearers were Philip Scanio, Jim Lomax, Danny Dossman, Allan Lawton, Cynthia Gibson, Stan Corbit, and David Vick. Grandchildren served as honorary pallbearers. Dad’s love for animals included Francis and Fraulein, Peaches, and current friends’ tiger and Chanel. They provided hours of love and companionship to him. The family wishes to thank Tony Jeter of Tender Mercies, Dad’s caregiver Susan Calhoun, the staff of Gentiva Hospice, and Girling Home Health. Memorial contributions may be made in Dad’s memory to the First Christian Church Bus Ministry, 300 N. 5th Street, Temple, TX 76501 or to charity of your choice.
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