George A. Harper

1945 - 2022

George A. Harper
December 14, 1945 - November 22, 2022
Columbia, South Carolina - George Andrew Harper, 76, passed away November 22, 2022. He was born December 14, 1945, in Wilmette, Illinois, to the late Robert Anderson Harper and Margaret Johnston Harper. His parents taught math and biology, respectively, at New Trier High School, and his grandfather James Robb Harper was superintendent of schools. George attended public schools in the area and was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church. After high school, he attended the University of Illinois and the University of Madrid, graduating from Coe College in 1967.
The same year, George was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps. After completing Officer Candidate School at Marine Corps Base Quantico in 1968, he was offered (and seized) the opportunity to become a naval aviator, attending flight school in Pensacola, Florida. Thereafter he was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. He served two tours in Vietnam (1969 and 1972) as an F-4 fighter pilot with VMFA-333, achieving the rank of Captain. Among many accomplishments during his military service was his graduation from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (a/k/a Top Gun) in 1973.
After leaving active duty, George enrolled at the University of South Carolina Law School in 1976 where he served as Managing Editor of the South Carolina Law Review and was a member of the Order of Wig and Robe. He graduated from law school and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1979.
George practiced labor and employment his entire career, first with Thompson Mann & Hutson in Greenville, South Carolina, and later with Jackson Lewis in Dallas, Atlanta and Greenville. In 1999, he attended his twentieth law school reunion at the home of classmate Corky Erwin; in May 2000, they married and George moved to Columbia. He continued to practice law, representing both defendants and plaintiffs in employment cases, until his retirement earlier this year.
His service in the Marine Corps defined George's life in countless ways. He often said the only experience approaching the thrill of flying a high-performance airplane was trying a case against a worthy adversary before a jury. He was blessed to enjoy both experiences hundreds of times.
Playing golf was a lifelong passion; he was a skilled photographer and voracious reader of history and current events as well. He was a member of the Edisto Island Yacht Club and the Orangeburg Country Club.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Sue ("Corky") Erwin Harper, his beloved children Robert ("Rob") Johnston Harper and wife Lisa of Omaha, Nebraska, Katharine ("Kate") Anderson Harper Klein and husband Ken, of Houston, Texas, and George Andrew Harper III and wife Annie, of St. Louis, Missouri. He cherished and championed his five grandsons, Kyle Harper, Robert Harper, George Harper IV, Alexander ("Mac") Harper and Laurence ("Joe") Harper. He is also survived by his siblings, brother John Robb Harper and his wife Doris of Rochester, NY (and their daughters Jennifer and Allison), sister Margaret Ann Harper and her wife Joan Reutershan of Brooklyn, NY, and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his adored rat terriers Millie and Roxie.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine Street in Columbia. Following the service, the family will receive friends at their home at 1526 Deans Lane, Columbia, SC 29205. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (405 Greenlawn Dr., Columbia, SC 29209) or to PETSInc. (300 Orchard Dr., West Columbia, SC 29170).
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.